Abstract: A novel, new, and highly effective agent for promoting fat degradation that contains astaxanthin and/or an ester thereof as active ingredient is provided. The agent for promoting fat degradation of the present invention has an effect of reducing fat by lipolysis of fat in either a subject who is in a condition in which fat has already accumulated or a subject who is in a condition in which fat has not yet been accumulated. Accordingly, the agent for promoting fat degradation of the present invention can restore hypertrophied adipocytes to a normal size.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for collecting xanthophylls, the method comprising an adsorption step of contacting a sample containing xanthophylls with a hydrophilic resin to allow the resin to adsorb the xanthophylls; and a desorption step of eluting the xanthophylls adsorbed to the resin with a polar solvent. Preferably, the method comprises a step of washing the resin between the adsorption step and the desorption step. As the resin, a hydrophilic, acrylic and/or methacrylic resin is preferably used.

Abstract: Novel, safe, and highly effective agents for increasing adiponectin in blood that contain astaxanthin and/or an ester thereof as an active component are provided. Due to an increase in the amount of adiponectin in blood, the action of adipocytokine such as TNF? can be decreased, or the action of biologically active substances such as insulin can be protected from the adverse action of adipocytokine. It is expected that, as a result, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia caused by adipocytokine, and metabolic syndrome are prevented or suppressed. Furthermore, it is expected that progress of arteriosclerosis, which can lead to cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, is inhibited by ingestion of the agent for increasing adiponectin in blood of the present invention, because arteriosclerosis progresses due to a decrease in adiponectin.

Abstract: Novel, safe, and highly effective agents for preventing insulin resistance and for preventing metabolic syndrome that contain astaxanthin and/or an ester thereof as an active component are provided. Even when a high-fat diet intake is continued, insulin resistance and subsequent hyperinsulinemia are suppressed by using the agent for preventing insulin resistance and the agent for preventing metabolic syndrome according to the present invention. Furthermore, suppression of fat degradation is thus inhibited and promotion of fat synthesis also is inhibited in adipose tissues, or glucose uptake into adipose tissues is inhibited, so that accumulation of fat within adipocytes is suppressed. Therefore, various diseases or symptoms having a relation to insulin resistance can be prevented or alleviated.

Abstract: Novel and highly effective agents for suppressing fat accumulation and for suppressing body fat gain that contain astaxanthin and/or an ester thereof as an active component are provided. The agent for suppressing fat accumulation according to the present invention effectively suppresses accumulation of fat both in subcutaneous fat and in visceral fat. Even when high-fat diet intake is continued, body weight gain is suppressed by using the agent for suppressing body weight gain according to the present invention. Therefore, life-style related diseases, which are very likely to be caused by obesity, can be prevented, and the agents can be also used as an agent for preventing or alleviating a disease or a symptom having a relation to fat accumulation.

Abstract: An agent for lowering neutral fat concentration in blood and a therapeutic agent for a disease to which neutral fat in blood is related, the agent containing astaxanthin and/or esters thereof. The agent for lowering neutral fat concentration in blood according to the present invention is useful for treating various diseases having an apparent relation to neutral fat in blood.

Abstract: A PDE inhibitor and a therapeutic agent for a PDE-related disease of the present invention contain astaxanthin and/or esters thereof. The PDE inhibitor of the present invention is useful for treating various diseases exhibiting a relationship to PDEs, e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, asthma, chronic artery obstruction, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory diseases, allergic diseases, thrombosis, encephalopathy, hyperlipemia, and obesity.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a trichogenous agent containing astaxanthin and/or an ester thereof is provided. The trichogenous agent of the present invention has a very low toxicity, and thus has a high degree of safety and can be used over a long period of time.