Distribution of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Stereoisomers in the Human Retina

Bone, Richard A.; Landrum, John T.; Friedes, Larry M.; Gómez, Catalina Quesada; Kilburn, Mark D.; Menendez, Eugenio; Vidal, Ivonne; Wang, Weili

doi:10.1006/exer.1996.0210

Cited by 366 publications

(288 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Meso-zeaxanthin was demonstrated to exclusively be formed in the retina of monkeys from lutein (Bone et al, 1993;Bone et al, 1997;Johnson et al, 2005). In both, the lutein and the meso-zeaxanthin molecule, the spatial orientation of the two hydroxyl groups located at the 3 and 3′ carbon atoms of the carotenoid end-groups is identical, with both hydroxyl groups pointing in opposite directions if the backbone of the molecule is regarded as projected into a plane.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Albert¹,

Hoeller²,

Schierle³

et al. 2008

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry an

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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. To evaluate the formation of such metabolites, eleven monkeys were raised on a xanthophyll-free diet, and supplemented with pure lutein or pure zeaxanthin (2.2 mg/kg body weight/d). The period of supplementation ranged between 12 to 92 weeks. At study start and throughout the study, serum samples were taken and analyzed for xanthophylls using different HPLC systems. Xanthophyll metabolites were identified using UV/VIS and HR-MS detection. Lutein and zeaxanthin metabolites were found in detectable amounts with 3′-dehydro-lutein being a common metabolite of both. Using chiral-phase HPLC, two diastereomers, (3R,6′R)-3′-dehydro-lutein and (3R, 6′S)-3′-dehydro-lutein, were identified and shown to be present in nearly equimolar amounts. A pathway for their formation from either lutein or zeaxanthin is proposed. These finding were comparable to results obtained with human plasma.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Albert¹,

Hoeller²,

Schierle³

et al. 2008

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry an

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“…Lutein and zeaxanthin are specifically located in the neuronal retina and are believed to play a role in protecting it against oxidative and light damage (Bone et al, 1985). As they are the only carotenoids present in the macula lutea and retina, they are believed to exhibit specific biological functions (Bone et al, 1997). These carotenoids have been implicated in macular function and prevention of degeneration (Bone et al, 1988), thus although current interest is in the role of lutein and zeaxanthin in relation to age-related macular degeneration, the carotenoids may also be important as protective factors in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of the new-born infant.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in formula and human milk samples from Northern Ireland mothers

et al. 2003

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Background: Two carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin are found in the retinal pigment epithelium of the eye where they are believed to protect it against oxidative and light damage. The amounts of these carotenoids consumed by premature infants are not known. Objective: The objective of the investigation was to measure these carotenoids in human and formulae milks. Design: In all, 28 human milk samples were obtained at various times between days 1 and 41 of lactation from 13 mothers. Six formula milks commonly used in hospitals were also analysed. Setting: Mothers who provided the milk samples had infants in the neonatal ward at the Royal Maternity Hospital, Belfast. Results: Median lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in human milk were 4.79 (range 0.42-9.98) nmol/g fat and 0.55 (0.00-1.70) nmol/g fat, respectively. Five of the six formula milks also contained lutein and zeaxanthin with concentrations that varied over a wide range (0.7-9.7 and 0.1-1.2 nmol/g fat, respectively). Conclusions: Carotenoid concentrations usually decreased with the duration of lactation. Some formula milks that were specially formulated for premature infants contained high concentrations of the lutein and zeaxanthin and the source may be egg yolk. Sponsorship: These studies were supported by the University of Ulster and the Northern Ireland Mother and Baby Appeal.

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“…Zeaxanthin supplements, however, were not commercially available in the United States until recently except as a minor component of lutein prepared from marigold flowers, and it has been suggested that dietary lutein may serve as a precursor for the very high concentrations of zeaxanthin found in the primate fovea. 11 A major epidemiologic study found that high dietary intakes and blood levels of these xanthophyll carotenoids are correlated with a significantly lower risk of AMD, 12,13 but another study did not reach the same conclusion. 14 These inconsistent findings derive in part from the fact that blood levels and dietary intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin are relatively poor markers of the actual amounts present in the macula.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Resonance Raman measurement of macular carotenoids in normal subjects and in age-related macular degeneration patients

et al. 2002

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Purpose-Dietary carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin may play a protective role against visual loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) through antioxidant and light screening mechanisms. We used a novel noninvasive objective method to quantify lutein and zeaxanthin in the human macula using resonance Raman spectroscopy and compared macular pigment levels in AMD and normal subjects. Design-Observational study of an ophthalmology clinic-based population.Participants and Controls-Ninety-three AMD eyes from 63 patients and 220 normal eyes from 138 subjects.Methods-Macular carotenoid levels were quantified by illuminating the macula with a lowpower argon laser spot and measuring Raman backscattered light using a spectrograph. This technique is sensitive, specific, and repeatable even in subjects with significant macular pathologic features.Main Outcome Measure-Raman signal intensity at 1525 cm −1 generated by the carboncarbon double-bond vibrations of lutein and zeaxanthin.Results-Carotenoid Raman signal intensity declined with age in normal eyes (P < 0.001). Average levels of lutein and zeaxanthin were 32% lower in AMD eyes versus normal elderly control eyes as long as the subjects were not consuming high-dose lutein supplements (P = 0.001). Patients who had begun to consume supplements containing high doses of lutein (≥4 mg/day) regularly after their initial diagnosis of AMD had average macular pigment levels that were in the normal range (P = 0.829) and that were significantly higher than in AMD patients not consuming these supplements (P = 0.038).Conclusions-These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that low levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in the human macula may represent a pathogenic risk factor for the development of Correspondence and reprint requests to Paul S. Bernstein, MD, PhD, Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, 50 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132. paul.bernstein@hsc.utah.edu. Three authors (PSB, RWM, and WG) and the University of Utah hold patent rights to the ocular Raman technology described in this article, and these authors and the university own significant equity interests in Spectrotek, LC, a company that has licensed the technology.Presented in part as a poster at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, New Orleans, Louisiana, November 2001. A major epidemiologic study found that high dietary intakes and blood levels of these xanthophyll carotenoids are correlated with a significantly lower risk of AMD, 12,13 but another study did not reach the same conclusion. 14 These inconsistent findings derive in part from the fact that blood levels and dietary intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin are relatively poor markers of the actual amounts present in the macula. 15 Clearly, it is of utmost importance to know the levels of lutein and zeaxanthin at their relevant site of action, the human macula. Recently, an autopsy study has reported that eyes from donors with a history of AMD had lower levels of macular carotenoids than eyes wi...

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Distribution of Lutein and Zeaxanthin Stereoisomers in the Human Retina

Cited by 366 publications

References 18 publications

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

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

A comparison of lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in formula and human milk samples from Northern Ireland mothers

Resonance Raman measurement of macular carotenoids in normal subjects and in age-related macular degeneration patients

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