Preventive and therapeutic effects of SkQ1-containing Visomitin eye drops against light-induced retinal degeneration.

The human retina is constantly affected by light of varying intensity, this being especially true for photoreceptor cells and retinal pigment epithelium. Traditionally, photoinduced damages of the retina are induced by visible light of high intensity in albino rats using the LIRD (light-induced retinal degeneration) model. This model allows study of pathological processes in the retina and the search for retinoprotectors preventing retinal photodamage.

Supplementation with beta-carotene or a similar amount of mixed carotenoids protects humans from UV-induced erythema.

Carotenoids are useful oral sun protectants, and supplementation with high doses of beta-carotene protects against UV-induced erythema formation. We compared the erythema-protective effect of beta-carotene (24 mg/d from an algal source) to that of 24 mg/d of a carotenoid mix consisting of the three main dietary carotenoids, beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene (8 mg/d each). In a placebo-controlled, parallel study design, volunteers with skin type II (n = 12 in each group) received beta-carotene, the carotenoid mix or placebo for 12 wk.

Divergent optimum levels of lycopene, beta-carotene and lutein protecting against UVB irradiation in human fibroblastst.

Exposure of living organisms to UV light leads to photooxidative reactions. Peroxyl radicals are involved in the propagation of lipid peroxidation. Carotenoids are dietary antioxidants and show photoprotective effects in human skin, efficiently scavenging peroxyl radicals and inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Dietary tomato paste protects against ultraviolet light-induced erythema in humans.

Carotenoids are efficient antioxidants capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species generated under conditions of photooxidative stress. It has been shown that supplementation with high doses of beta-carotene protects skin against UV-induced erythema. This study was designed to investigate whether intervention with a natural dietary source rich in lycopene protects against UV-induced erythema in humans.