Astaxanthin dramatically reduced the expression levels of mRNA for IL-1β, IL-6, F4/80, C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 2 (CCL2), and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 2 (CXCL2) in the colonic mucosa of mice treated with AOM. The gene discussed is CCL2; the disease is infectious otitis media.