Lutein and Zeaxanthin and Their Potential Roles in Disease Prevention

Ribaya-Mercado, Judy D.; Blumberg, Jeffrey B.

doi:10.1080/07315724.2004.10719427

Cited by 247 publications

(164 citation statements)

References 156 publications

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“…Apart from the key structural role of lutein and zeaxanthin as the macular pigments in the eye, evidence is emerging of a wider role for lutein in chronic disease prevention (16) . In particular, PVA, pro-vitamin A carotenoids (a-þ b-carotene þ cryptoxanthin); non-PVA, non-pro-vitamin A carotenoids (lutein/zeaxanthin þ lycopene).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma carotenoids and diabetic retinopathy

et al. 2008

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Diabetic retinopathy increases with duration of diabetes and may be associated with carotenoid status. Carotenoids alter the pro-oxidation/antioxidation balance, and circulating levels depend largely on dietary intake. Lower levels have been reported in diabetes and age-related macular degeneration; however, little is known of the relationship between carotenoids and diabetic complications. Consequently, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between plasma carotenoids and diabetic retinopathy. We assessed the carotenoid -retinopathy relationship in 111 individuals with type 2 diabetes in a community-based, cross-sectional study. We photodocumented retinal status and used HPLC to measure plasma carotenoid concentrations. Data for clinical and demographic variables and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy were obtained from 24 h urine and fasting blood samples, and an interviewer-assisted lifestyle questionnaire. We found that the combined lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin (non-pro-vitamin A (non-PVA) carotenoid) concentration when compared with the pro-vitamin A (PVA) carotenoids (a-carotene, b-carotene and b-cryptoxanthin) was significantly lower in the retinopathy than non-retinopathy group (OR 1·2 (95 % CI 1·0, 1·4) v. 1·6 (95 % CI 1·4, 1·7), respectively; P¼0·009). A higher non-PVA:PVA ratio also predicted a lower risk of diabetic retinopathy, after adjustment for potential confounders (OR 0·33 (95 % CI 0·12, 0·95); P¼0·039). Finally, a higher concentration of PVA carotenoids was associated with greater odds of diabetic retinopathy, after adjustment for risk factors (P¼ 0·049). We suggest synergies between carotenoids are implicated in diabetic retinopathy, independent of established risk factors. Importantly, our observations indicate dietary modulation of retinopathy risk may be possible by increasing intakes of lutein-and lycopene-rich foods. Carotenoids: Diabetic retinopathy: Pro-vitamin ACarotenoids demonstrate a vast array of biological activities, including vital roles in the eye, both functionally as precursors to retinol in the visual pathway (pro-vitamin A (PVA) carotenoids) and structurally as macular pigments. The major PVA carotenoids in plasma are a-carotene, b-carotene and b-cryptoxanthin. Of these, only b-carotene is found in ocular tissues (1) .In contrast, lutein/zeaxanthin and lycopene are the major non-PVA carotenoids, i.e. are not retinol precursors, and both are present in ocular tissues at high concentrations. Lutein and zeaxanthin comprise the macular pigments, essential for normal vision and for the protection of photoreceptors from phototoxic blue light, while lycopene is present in high concentrations in the human ciliary body and retinal pigment epithelium/choroid (2) .Plasma carotenoid concentrations have been linked to numerous conditions (3 -6) including the major blinding conditions -age-related macular degeneration (7,8) and cataracts (9) . To date, the relationship between the major carotenoids and diabetic retinopathy has not been evaluated (Table ...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plasma carotenoids and diabetic retinopathy

et al. 2008

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“…60 Spirulina also is a source of polysaccharide that has immunostimulant activity (reflecting the activation of TLR2 receptors on macrophages), [61][62][63] and is very rich in zeaxanthin, a dietary carotenoid that has been linked to decreased risk for macular degeneration. 64 A recent open clinical trial reports worthwhile reductions in blood pressure and improvements in blood lipid profile in healthy volunteers receiving 4.5 g spirulina daily; this suggests that spirulina-bound PCB may have good oral bioavailability in humans. 65 The reduction in LDL cholesterol observed in this study might reflect phycocyanin-mediated inhibition of cholesterol and bile acid (re)absorption, as demonstrated in rats.…”

Section: Spirulina Has Profound Antioxidant Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential complementarity of high-flavanol cocoa powder and spirulina for health protection

2010

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“…In addition to their role as an important aesthetic parameter, the carotenoids have important nutritional and health roles. Some carotenoids have provitamin A activity, which provides protection from ocular diseases (Ribaya-Mercado and Blumberg 2004), and all of the carotenoids show antioxidant capacity, which reduces the risk of chronic degenerative diseases (Abdel-Aal et al 2007;Nishino et al 2009). …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The colours of durum wheat: a review

et al. 2014

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Abstract. Pigments are essential to the life of all living organisms. Animals and plants have been the subjects of basic and applied research with the aim of determining the basis of the accumulation and physiological roles of pigments. In crop species, the edible organs show large variations in colour. In durum wheat grain, which is a staple food for humans, the colour is mainly due to two natural classes of pigment: carotenoids and anthocyanins. The carotenoids provide the yellow pigmentation of the durum wheat endosperm, and consequently of the semolina, which has important implications for the marketing of end products based on durum wheat. Anthocyanins accumulate in the aleurone or pericarp of durum wheat and provide the blue, purple and red colours of the grain. Both the carotenoids and the anthocyanins are known to provide benefits for human health, in terms of decreased risks of certain diseases. Therefore, accumulation of these pigments in the grain represents an important trait in breeding programs aimed at improving the nutritional value of durum wheat grain and its end products. This review focuses on the biochemical and genetic bases of pigment accumulation in durum wheat grain, and on the breeding strategies aimed at modifying grain colour.

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Lutein and Zeaxanthin and Their Potential Roles in Disease Prevention

Cited by 247 publications

References 156 publications

Plasma carotenoids and diabetic retinopathy

Plasma carotenoids and diabetic retinopathy

Potential complementarity of high-flavanol cocoa powder and spirulina for health protection

The colours of durum wheat: a review

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