Methods for treating heat stress and related compositions

Abstract

Methods of treating, reducing, and/or preventing heat stress are provided. For example, provided is a method of treating or preventing heat stress in a subject comprising selecting a subject in need of heat stress treatment or prevention and administering an effective amount of one or more of astaxanthin and milk casein hydrolysate, or a derivative thereof to the subject. Also provided are methods of reducing the effects of a fever in a subject comprising administering an effective amount of one or more of astaxanthin, chromium and milk casein hydrolysate, or a derivative thereof, to the subject. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, comprising astaxanthin and one or more of chromium or milk casein hydrolysate.

1 . A method of reducing the likelihood of experiencing heat stress in a subject, comprising
 (a) selecting a subject with an increased likelihood of experiencing heat stress, and   (b) administering an effective amount of astaxanthin or a derivative thereof to the subject,   thereby reducing the likelihood of experiencing heat stress in said subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the effective amount reduces the likelihood of experiencing one or more of the symptoms of heat stress selected from the group consisting of hyperthermia, headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, weakness, exhaustion, fever, moist skin, irritability, confusion, dry skin, hot skin, no sweating, loss of consciousness, seizures, convulsions, heat stroke, vomiting, upset stomach, and death. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subject is expected to be exposed to high environmental temperatures or physical exertion. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein an effective amount of astaxanthin or a derivative thereof is administered to the subject. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the administered effective amount of astaxanthin or a derivative thereof is about 0.02 mg/kg or greater. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the administered effective amount of astaxanthin or a derivative thereof is about 0.14 mg/kg, 0.17 mg/kg, 0.21 mg/kg or 0.28 mg/kg or greater. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the administered effective amount of astaxanthin or a derivative thereof is between about 0.02 mg/kg and about 0.28 mg/kg. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the administered effective amount of astaxanthin or a derivative thereof is administered to the subject once daily. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the once daily administration of an effective amount of astaxanthin or a derivative thereof is repeated for two or more days. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein at least one daily administration of an effective amount of astaxanthin or a derivative thereof is given to the subject prior to the subject being exposed to high environmental temperatures or physical exertion. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the administered effective amount astaxanthin or a derivative thereof is about 2 mg/day. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the administered effective amount astaxanthin or a derivative thereof is between about 2 mg/day and 20 mg/day. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the administered effective amount astaxanthin or a derivative thereof is between about 12 mg/day and 15 mg/day. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising administering an effective amount of chromium or a derivative thereof to the subject. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the chromium is trivalent chromium or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the administered effective amount of chromium or a derivative thereof is about 100 μg/day or greater. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the administered effective amount of chromium is between about 100 μg/day and about 600 μg/day. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the effective amount of chromium is administered once daily to the subject for two or more days. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein at least one daily administration of an effective amount of chromium or a derivative thereof is given to the subject prior to the subject being exposed to high environmental temperatures or physical exertion. 
     
     
         20 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The method of claim  21 , further comprising administering an effective amount of milk casein hydrolysate to the subject. 
     
     
         23 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said derivative of astaxanthin exhibits free radical scavenging activity. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said subject is predisposed to heat stress. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said heat stress is heat exhaustion and/or heat stroke. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said subject has at least one condition selected from the group consisting of alcoholism, anorexia, cardiac disease, cystic fibrosis, dehydration, diabetes insipidus, eating disorders, extremes of age, febrile illness, gastroenteritis, history of heatstroke, hypokalemia, obesity, poor acclimatization, sleep deprivation, sweat gland dysfunction, uncontrolled diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, thyroid disorder, and upper respiratory tract infection. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said subject is or has been under a medications therapy selected from the group consisting of alpha adrenergics, anticholinergics, antihistamines, benzodiazepines, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, neuroleptics, phenothiazine diuretics and tricyclic antidepressants.