Astaxanthin influences the expression of STAT3. mRNA expression was consistent with that of the protein. (A) Western blotting results showed that astaxanthin suppresses the expression of STAT3 and the related proteins JAK2, NF-Kβp65 and Bcl-2, and it increases the levels of Caspase9, Bax and Caspase3. (B) Relative protein expression analysis. * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, and *** p < 0.001. (C) RT-PCR also confirmed that astaxanthin suppresses the expression of STAT3 and the related genes JAK2, NF-κBp65 and Bcl-2, and it increases the expression of Bax, Caspase3 and Caspase9. * p < 0.05 and ** p < 0.01.