Study of the Efficacy and Safety of Antioxidants Astaxanthin as an Adjuvant Therapy for Community Acquired Pneumonia Patients.

Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is one of the most common and morbid conditions encountered in clinical practice, which causes serious morbidity worldwide. In CAP, oxidative stress is linked to inflammation, demonstrated by increased production of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, which attract inflammatory cells and increase oxidant production by these cells. Attenuation of oxidative stress via antioxidants would be expected to result in reduced pulmonary damage. Antioxidants have been found to be effective in alleviating lung injury and protecting against damage of other organs.