Dietary fish oil enriched in very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid reduces cardiometabolic risk factors and improves retinal function.

Very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLCPUFAs; C24-38) constitute a unique class of PUFA that have important biological roles, but the lack of a suitable dietary source has limited research in this field. We produced an n-3 C24-28-rich VLCPUFA-oil concentrated from fish oil to study its bioavailability and physiological functions in C57BL/6J mice. The serum and retinal C24:5 levels increased significantly compared to control after a single-dose gavage, and VLCPUFAs were incorporated into the liver, brain, and eyes after 8-week supplementation.

Macular Pigment Carotenoids and Bisretinoid A2E.

Lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z), and meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) are the three macular pigments (MP) carotenoids that uniquely accumulate in the macula lutea region of the human retina. L and Z are obtained by humans through dietary intake. The third MP, MZ, is rarely present in diet, and its abundance in the human fovea is due to the metabolic conversion of dietary L by the retinal pigment epithelium's RPE65 enzyme.

Systemic Effects of Prenatal Carotenoid Supplementation in the Mother and her Child: The Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Pregnancy (L-ZIP) Randomized Trial -Report Number 1.

Background: Adding carotenoids, particularly lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z), to prenatal micronutrient formulations has been promoted to enhance infant visual and neural development and to maintain maternal health. Although these claims are biologically plausible, they are not yet supported by a compelling prospective trial.

Objective: We investigated the effect of prenatal carotenoid supplementation on biomarkers of maternal and infant systemic carotenoid status.

Lutein Encapsulated in PLGA-Phospholipid Nano-Carrier Effectively Mitigates Cytokines by Inhibiting Tumor Necrosis Factor TNF-α and Nuclear Factor NF-B in Mice Retina.

Lutein, a photo- and thermo-labile macular pigment, prevents the retina from suffering ocular inflammation with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, its biological activity is poor due to poor solubility and bioavailability. Therefore, we developed a PLGA NCs (+PL), (poly (lactic--glycolic acid) nanocarrier with phospholipid) to improve the biological availability and bioefficacy of lutein in the retina of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lutein-devoid (LD) mice.

Prenatal Carotenoid Supplementation With Lutein or Zeaxanthin Ameliorates Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy (OIR) in Bco2-/- Macular Pigment Mice.

Purpose: Premature infants at risk of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) miss placental transfer of the carotenoids lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) during the third trimester. We previously demonstrated that prenatal L and Z supplementation raised carotenoid levels in infants at birth in the Lutein and Zeaxanthin in Pregnancy (L-ZIP) study (NCT03750968). Based on their antioxidant effects and bioavailability, we hypothesized that prenatal maternal supplementation with macular carotenoids would reduce the risk of ROP.

Mechanism for the selective uptake of macular carotenoids mediated by the HDL cholesterol receptor SR-BI.

The macular carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are taken up from the bloodstream into the human retina through a selective process, for which the HDL cholesterol receptor scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) in the cells of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is thought to be a key mediator. However, the mechanism of SR-BI-mediated selective uptake of macular carotenoids is still not fully understood. Here, we investigate possible mechanisms using biological assays and cultured HEK293 cells, a cell line without endogenous SR-BI expression.

Extraction, detection, and imaging of the macular carotenoids.

The term "macular carotenoids" refers to the lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin that are highly concentrated at the center of the human retina. Intraretinal levels of these carotenoids are inversely associated with the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and oral supplementation with these carotenoids can significantly reduce AMD risk. To make macular carotenoid analysis more accessible, we systematically review the current methods for extraction, detection, and imaging of macular carotenoids in both basic and clinical research.

HDL is the primary transporter for carotenoids from liver to retinal pigment epithelium in transgenic ApoA-I/Bco2 mice.

Supplementation with antioxidant carotenoids is a therapeutic strategy to protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD); however, the transport mechanism of carotenoids from the liver to the retina is still not fully understood. Here, we investigate if HDL serves as the primary transporter for the macular carotenoids. ApoA-I, the key apolipoprotein of HDL, was genetically deleted from BCO2 knockout (Bco2) mice, a macular pigment mouse model capable of accumulating carotenoids in the retina.

Lutein and zeaxanthin reduce A2E and iso-A2E levels and improve visual performance in Abca4/Bco2 double knockout mice.

Accumulation of bisretinoids such as A2E and its isomer iso-A2E is thought to mediate blue light-induced oxidative damage associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and autosomal recessive Stargardt disease (STGD1). We hypothesize that increasing dietary intake of the macular carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin in individuals at risk of AMD and STGD1 can inhibit the formation of bisretinoids A2E and iso-A2E, which can potentially ameliorate macular degenerative diseases. To study the beneficial effect of macular carotenoids in a retinal degenerative diseases model, we used ATP-binding cassette, sub-family A member 4 (Abca4)/β,β-carotene-9',10'-oxygenase 2 (Bco2) double knockout (KO) mice that accumulate elevated levels of A2E and iso-A2E in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and macular carotenoids in the retina.

Retinal bioavailability and functional effects of a synthetic very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid in mice.

Rare, nondietary very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs) are uniquely found in the retina and a few other vertebrate tissues. These special fatty acids play a clinically significant role in retinal degeneration and development, but their physiological and interventional research has been hampered because pure VLC-PUFAs are scarce. We hypothesize that if Stargardt-3 or age-related macular degeneration patients were to consume an adequate amount of VLC-PUFAs that could be directly used in the retina, it may be possible to bypass the steps of lipid elongation mediated by the retina's ELOVL4 enzyme and to delay or prevent degeneration.

The emerging roles of the macular pigment carotenoids throughout the lifespan and in prenatal supplementation.

Since the publication of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) in 2013, the macular pigment carotenoids lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) have become well known to both the eye care community and the public. It is a fascinating aspect of evolution that primates have repurposed photoprotective pigments and binding proteins from plants and insects to protect and enhance visual acuity. Moreover, utilization of these plant-derived nutrients has been widely embraced for preventing vision loss from age-related macular degeneration.

Imaging lutein and zeaxanthin in the human retina with confocal resonance Raman microscopy.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophyll carotenoids that are highly concentrated in the human macula, where they protect the eye from oxidative damage and improve visual performance. Distinguishing lutein from zeaxanthin in images of the human retina in vivo or in donor eye tissues has been challenging because no available technology has been able to reliably differentiate between these two carotenoids, which differ only in the position of one C = C bond. Here, we report the differential distributions of lutein and zeaxanthin in human donor retinas mapped with confocal resonance Raman microscopy.

The macular carotenoids: A biochemical overview.

Among the more than 750 carotenoids identified in nature, only lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin, and their oxidative metabolites are selectively accumulated in the macula lutea region of the human retina. These retinal carotenoids are collectively referred to as the macular pigment (MP) and are obtained only through dietary sources such as green leafy vegetables and yellow and orange fruits and vegetables. Lutein- and zeaxanthin-specific binding proteins (StARD3 and GSTP1, respectively) mediate the highly selective uptake of MP into the retina.

Poly (D, L-lactide-co-glycolide)-phospholipid nanocarrier for efficient delivery of macular pigment lutein: absorption pharmacokinetics in mice and antiproliferative effect in Hep G2 cells.

Lutein has various biological activities, its application in food and pharma industries are limited due to poor aqueous solubility, stability, and bioavailability. To achieve various benefits, lutein-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-phospholipid (PL) nanocapsules were prepared. Lutein-PLGA NCs (+PL) were synthesized, characterized and its bioavailability was studied in vitro and in vivo.

Supplementation with macular carotenoids improves visual performance of transgenic mice.

Carotenoid supplementation can improve human visual performance, but there is still no validated rodent model to test their effects on visual function in laboratory animals. We recently showed that mice deficient in β-carotene oxygenase 2 (BCO2) and/or β-carotene oxygenase 1 (BCO1) enzymes can accumulate carotenoids in their retinas, allowing us to investigate the effects of carotenoids on the visual performance of mice. Using OptoMotry, a device to measure visual function in rodents, we examined the effect of zeaxanthin, lutein, and β-carotene on visual performance of various BCO knockout mice.

What do we know about the macular pigment in AMD: the past, the present, and the future.

Carotenoids are lipophilic isoprenoid pigments with a common CH core chemical structure that are naturally synthesized by many plants, algae, bacteria, and fungi. Humans and animals cannot synthesize carotenoids de novo and must obtain them solely through dietary sources. Among the more than 750 carotenoids in nature, only lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin, and their oxidative metabolites selectively accumulate in the foveal region of the retina where they are collectively referred to as the macular pigment (MP) of the macula lutea.

Biocompatible lutein-polymer-lipid nanocapsules: Acute and subacute toxicity and bioavailability in mice.

Lutein-poly-(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-phospholipid (PL) nanocapsules were prepared (henceforth referred as lutein nanocapsules) and studied for acute, subacute oral toxicity and bioavailability of lutein in mice. Prior to examining the safety of lutein nanocapsules, particle size, zeta potential, surface morphology and interaction between lutein, PLGA and PL were studied. In acute study, mice were gavaged with a single dose of lutein nanocapsules at 0.

Dietary Components Affect the Plasma and Tissue Levels of Lutein in Aged Rats with Lutein Deficiency--A Repeated Gavage and Dietary Study.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to find out the influence of selected dietary components on plasma and tissue response of repeated micellar and dietary lutein in aged rats with lutein deficiency. In repeated (16 d) gavage study, micellar lutein was co-ingested with either phosphatidylcholine (PC), lyso-phosphatidylcholine (lysoPC), β-carotene, dietary fiber or vegetable fat (3% soybean oil). In dietary study, rats were fed (4 wk) semi-synthetic diet either with lutein + PC, lutein + dietary fiber or B.

Chitosan-glycolipid nanogels loaded with anti-obese marine carotenoid fucoxanthin: Acute and sub-acute toxicity evaluation in rodent model.

Fucoxanthin (FUCO) is a light- and heat-sensitive marine xanthophyll carotenoid, present in brown algae that render physiological properties as anti-oxidants. In this study, nanoencapsulation is an approach adopted to improve bioavailability of FUCO by using ionic-gelation method with polymeric chitosan (CS) dispersed in glycolipid (GL), as a carrier. Further, the aim was to investigate adverse effect of acute and sub-acute toxicity of chitosan nanogels (CS-NGs) loaded with FUCO+GL in rats.

Biodegradable Poly (Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid)-Polyethylene Glycol Nanocapsules: An Efficient Carrier for Improved Solubility, Bioavailability, and Anticancer Property of Lutein.

Lutein bioavailability is limited because of its poor aqueous solubility. In this study, lutein-poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) nanocapsules were prepared to improve the solubility, bioavailability, and anticancer property of lutein. The scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering examination revealed that the nanocapsules are smooth and spherical with size ranging from 80 to 500 nm (mean = 200 nm).

Quality characteristics and lutein bioavailability from maize and vegetable-based health food.

Health food (ready-mix) was prepared from maize and vegetables a source of lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) and studied for its quality characteristics (moisture sorption isotherm, sensory, microbiological, chemical composition, and storage stability) on storage at varying temperatures for 3 months and L+Z bioavailability in mice. Results revealed a decrease in the L+Z level (4.70, 9.

Promising interaction between nanoencapsulated lutein with low molecular weight chitosan: characterization and bioavailability of lutein in vitro and in vivo.

This study aims to develop water-soluble low molecular weight chitosan (LMWC) nanoencapsules with lutein to improve its bioavailability. Lutein-LMWC nanoencapsules were prepared, characterized and bioavailability was studied in vitro and in vivo with lutein in mixed micelles (control). The particle size ranged between 80-600 nm, which was confirmed by Atomic Force Microscope.