Plasma Lutein, a Nutritional Biomarker for Development of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Alienor Study.

Lutein and zeaxanthin may lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We evaluated the associations of plasma lutein and zeaxanthin with the incidence of advanced AMD in the Alienor study (Antioxydants Lipides Essentiels Nutrition et Maladies Oculaires). Alienor study is a prospective population-based cohort of 963 residents of Bordeaux, France, who were 73 years or older at baseline (2006-2008).

Plasma Carotenoids Are Inversely Associated With Dementia Risk in an Elderly French Cohort.

Background: Although intake of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a decreased risk of dementia, studies focusing on nutrients underlying this association are lacking. Our objective was to analyze the relation between plasma carotenoids and the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in French elderly community dwellers.

Methods: The study population consisted of 1,092 nondemented older participants, from the Three-City-Bordeaux cohort followed for up to 10 years (range: 1.

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin on photostress recovery, glare disability, and chromatic contrast.

Purpose: Past studies have shown that higher macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) supplementation are related to improvements in glare disability, photostress recovery, and chromatic contrast. This study assessed those links using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design.

Methods: The visual effects of 1 year of supplementing L (10 mg/d) and Z (2 mg/d) were investigated.

Macular pigment optical density is related to cognitive function in older people.

Background: the xanthophylls lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) exist in relatively high concentration in multiple central nervous tissues (e.g. cortex and neural retina).

Relationship between Serum and Brain Carotenoids, α-Tocopherol, and Retinol Concentrations and Cognitive Performance in the Oldest Old from the Georgia Centenarian Study.

Oxidative stress is involved in age-related cognitive decline. The dietary antioxidants, carotenoids, tocopherols, and vitamin A may play a role in the prevention or delay in cognitive decline. In this study, sera were obtained from 78 octogenarians and 220 centenarians from the Georgia Centenarian Study.

Effects of formulation on the bioavailability of lutein and zeaxanthin: a randomized, double-blind, cross-over, comparative, single-dose study in healthy subjects.

Purpose: Lutein and zeaxanthin are macular pigments with a protective function in the retina. These xanthophylls must be obtained from the diet or added to foods or supplements via easy-to-use, stable formulations. The technique employed to produce these formulations may affect the bioavailability of the xanthophylls.

Macular lutein and zeaxanthin are related to brain lutein and zeaxanthin in primates.

Objectives: Xanthophyll pigments lutein and zeaxanthin cross the blood-retina barrier to preferentially accumulate in the macular region of the neural retina. There they form macular pigment, protecting the retina from blue light damage and oxidative stress. Lutein and zeaxanthin also accumulate in brain tissue.

Association of macular pigment density with plasma ω-3 fatty acids: the PIMAVOSA study.

Purpose: To assess the correlation between macular pigment optical density and plasma levels of lutein, zeaxanthin, and fatty acids, especially omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

Methods: The PIMAVOSA study is an observational study of 107 healthy volunteers, aged 20 to 60 years and born in southwest France, without histories of ocular disease. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was measured using the two-wavelength autofluorescence method with a modified scanning laser ophthalmoscope.

Serum lutein response is greater from free lutein than from esterified lutein during 4 weeks of supplementation in healthy adults.

Background: Current data suggest great variability in serum response following lutein ingestion from various sources.

Objective: To compare the relative serum response during supplementation with free lutein (fL) and lutein esters (Le).

Methods: 72 volunteers (23-52 years; body mass index [BMI] >20 and <30 kg/m2; baseline serum lutein <20 µg/dL [<352 nmol/L]) were identified.

Nutritional manipulation of primate retinas, V: effects of lutein, zeaxanthin, and n-3 fatty acids on retinal sensitivity to blue-light-induced damage.

Purpose: Blue-light photooxidative damage has been implicated in the etiology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The macular pigment xanthophylls lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) and n-3 fatty acids may reduce this damage and lower the risk of AMD. This study investigated the effects of the lifelong absence of xanthophylls followed by L or Z supplementation, combined with the effects of n-3 fatty acid deficiency, on acute blue-light photochemical damage.

Metabolism of lutein and zeaxanthin in rhesus monkeys: identification of (3R,6'R)- and (3R,6'S)-3'-dehydro-lutein as common metabolites and comparison to humans.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are xanthophylls that can be found highly concentrated in the macula of the retina. They are thought to protect the macula through their role as blue-light filters and because of their antioxidant and singlet oxygen quenching properties. Examination of metabolites unique to lutein and zeaxanthin such as 3'-dehydro-lutein, and of their stereochemistry may provide insight to the mechanism by which they are formed and by which they exert protection.

Xanthophyll accumulation in the human retina during supplementation with lutein or zeaxanthin - the LUXEA (LUtein Xanthophyll Eye Accumulation) study.

The xanthophylls lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) form the macular pigment with the highest density in the macula lutea. We investigated Macular Pigment Optical Density (MPOD) responses to supplementation with identically formulated (Actilease) L or Z (OPTISHARP) or L+Z over 6-12 months using doses of 10 or 20mg/day. MPOD as well as blue light sensitivity in fovea and parafovea were measured monthly by heterochromatic flicker photometry.

Supplementation with the carotenoids lutein or zeaxanthin improves human visual performance.

Background: Macular pigment (MP) is found in diurnal primate species when vision spans a range of ambient illumination and is mediated by cone and rod photoreceptors. The exact role of MP remains to be determined. In this study we investigate two new hypotheses for possible MP functions.

Plasma lutein and zeaxanthin and other carotenoids as modifiable risk factors for age-related maculopathy and cataract: the POLA Study.

Purpose: To assess the associations of plasma lutein and zeaxanthin and other carotenoids with the risk of age-related maculopathy (ARM) and cataract in the population-based Pathologies Oculaires Liées à l'Age (POLA) Study.

Methods: Retinal photographs were graded according to the international classification. ARM was defined by the presence of late ARM (neovascular ARM, geographic atrophy) and/or soft indistinct drusen (>125 microm) and/or soft distinct drusen (>125 microm) associated with pigmentary abnormalities.

The effects of supplementation with lutein and/or zeaxanthin on human macular pigment density and colour vision.

Background: Both yellow-blue (YB) discrimination thresholds and macular pigment optical density (MPOD) measurements in the eye exhibit large variability in the normal population. Although it is well established that selective absorption of blue light by the macular pigment (MP) can significantly affect trichromatic colour matches, the extent to which the MP affects colour discrimination (CD) sensitivity remains controversial.

Objective: In this study, we assess whether the variability in YB thresholds is attributable to differences in MPOD, both at the fovea and in the paracentral visual field.

Plasma kinetics of lutein, zeaxanthin, and 3-dehydro-lutein after multiple oral doses of a lutein supplement.

Background: Adequate intake of lutein is postulated to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, but kinetic information for developing a dosing regimen is sparse.

Objective: The objective was to characterize lutein plasma kinetics in a multiple dosing design and to assess the effects of lutein intake on concentrations of other plasma carotenoids.

Design: After a run-in period of 7 d, 19 healthy volunteers were assigned to receive daily oral doses of 4.

Nutritional manipulation of primate retinas, III: Effects of lutein or zeaxanthin supplementation on adipose tissue and retina of xanthophyll-free monkeys.

Purpose: Macular pigment (MP) is composed of the xanthophylls lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) and may help to prevent age-related macular degeneration or retard its progression. In this study the effects of L or Z supplementation on carotenoid levels was examined in serum, adipose tissue, and retina in rhesus monkeys with no previous intake of xanthophylls.

Methods: From birth to 7 to 16 years of age, 18 rhesus monkeys were fed semipurified diets containing all essential nutrients but no xanthophylls.

Comparative multiple dose plasma kinetics of lycopene administered in tomato juice, tomato soup or lycopene tablets.

Background: Lycopene is mainly provided in tomato and tomato products in Western diet. Among other factors the systemic availability of lycopene from natural sources is dependent on release from the cell matrix as achieved by food processing.

Aims Of The Study: The purpose of this study was to compare plasma concentration responses of total lycopene and its major isomers to dosing of the carotenoid as tomato juice, tomato soup or tablets containing synthetic lycopene.

Plasma kinetics of zeaxanthin and 3'-dehydro-lutein after multiple oral doses of synthetic zeaxanthin.

Background: Zeaxanthin is hypothesized to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration; however, kinetic information is limited.

Objectives: The objective was to investigate the plasma kinetics of synthetic zeaxanthin after repeated oral doses and to assess the possible influence of other carotenoids on plasma zeaxanthin concentrations.

Design: After a run-in of 3 d, 20 healthy volunteers assigned to 2 parallel dose groups received once daily oral doses of either 1 mg (1.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of orally administered lycopene in male dogs.

Consumption of lycopene, the predominant carotenoid in tomatoes and tomato products, is associated with reduced prostate cancer risk. The purpose of this study was to measure the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of lycopene after oral administration to male dogs. After single doses of 10, 30 and 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) lycopene to 2 dogs/dose, the mean half-life was 36 h and the plasma systemic exposure levels (AUC(0-)( infinity ), area under the curve) after the 30 and 50 mg/kg BW doses were similar.

[Antioxidant micronutrients and cataract. Review and comparison of the AREDS and REACT cataract studies].

Age-related cataract remains the major cause of preventable blindness throughout the world. It has long been realized that one of the important etiological factors for this disease is oxidative and in particular photooxidative damage to the lens. Therefore, the antioxidant micronutrients, vitamins C and E and the carotenoids, in particular beta-carotene, have been discussed as factors that could reduce the risk for this disease.

Plasma concentration response to drinks containing beta-carotene as carrot juice or formulated as a water dispersible powder.

Background: Bioavailability of beta-carotene is highly variable and depends on the source, the formulation and other nutritional factors.

Objective: It was the aim of the study to compare beta-carotene plasma response to b-carotene dosing with two commercially available drinks, containing beta-carotene from carrot juice or as water dispersible beta-carotene powder. Design In a randomized, parallel group study design, 4 volunteers per group received daily beta-carotene doses of 6-7 or 18-22 mg of either drink over 6 weeks.

The Roche European American Cataract Trial (REACT): a randomized clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of an oral antioxidant micronutrient mixture to slow progression of age-related cataract.

Context: Funding surgery worldwide for age-related cataract (ARC), a leading cause of blindness, is a huge economic burden. Non-surgical means of slowing ARC progression could benefit patients and reduce this burden.

Objective: To determine if a mixture of oral antioxidant micronutrients [mg/day] (beta-carotene [18], vitamin C [750], and vitamin E [600]) would modify progression of ARC.