Lutein and Zeaxanthin Distribution in the Healthy Macula and Its Association with Various Demographic Factors Examined in Pseudophakic Eyes

Abstract

The macular pigment consisting of lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) protects photoreceptors via its antioxidative and barrier activities. This study aimed to determine L and Z distribution in the healthy macula and their association with various demographic factors. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was measured using fundus autofluorescence spectroscopy in 352 pseudophakic eyes with no fundus diseases. Pseudophakia was chosen to avoid the influence of cataract in the measurement of fundus autofluorescence. The mean patient age was 72.3 ± 8.6 years. MPOD was analyzed separately in three zones, i.e., A: a central area within a radius of 0.5°, mainly containing Z; B: a ring area with radii from 0.5° to 1.3°, containing Z and L; C: a ring area with radii from 1.3° to 9°, containing L. Multivariate analyses were performed with MPOD as the dependent variable and sex, supplement intake, smoking habits, glaucoma, diabetes, age, body mass index (BMI), skin carotenoid levels, retinal thickness, retinal volume, axial length as the independent variables. The mean total MPOD volume within 9° eccentricity was 20,121 ± 6293. Age was positively associated with MPOD in all zones. Supplement and BMI were positively and negatively associated with MPOD in zones B and C. Smoking was negatively associated with MPOD in zone A. This study revealed the standard MP values of aged Japanese, which resulted to be higher than the previously reported values in other races. Age was found to have a positive association with MP values. L in the outer foveola was affected by BMI and supplements, but Z in the foveola was not. The amount of Z in the Müller cell cone may not be changed easily by factors such as hunger and satiety in the context of preservation of homeostasis in the human body, but tobacco had a negative effect on Z.

Nutritional Factors: Benefits in Glaucoma and Ophthalmologic Pathologies

“…Concerning ophthalmology, lutein accumulates in the macula, acting as a filter for harmful blue light and helping to protect the eye from oxidative damage [ 192 ]. Lutein also acts via antioxidative and barrier properties to protect the retina photoreceptors, as seen in the work of Obana et al [ 193 ]. It has been shown to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye diseases [ 178 , 194 , 195 ].…”

Systematic Review of Reflection Spectroscopy-Based Skin Carotenoid Assessment in Children

“…Following a standardized protocol will allow researchers to contribute to a shared population-level database to establish reference points and compare findings from different studies. Additionally, future research studies may consider reporting about nutrient supplement usage, as previous intervention studies reported a significant and consistent increase in RS-based SCS in adults after taking high doses of lutein and zeaxanthin supplements [ 70 ].…”

Scavenging of Cation Radicals of the Visual Cycle Retinoids by Lutein, Zeaxanthin, Taurine, and Melanin

“…AREDS2 also demonstrated that including lutein and zeaxanthin in the antioxidant mixture brings about a greater benefit than having no carotenoids or β-carotene. It is thought that lutein, zeaxanthin, α-tocopherol, and ascorbate can exert their beneficial effect by scavenging lipid-derived free radicals and superoxide and, in the case of lutein and zeaxanthin, by quenching of singlet oxygen and excited states of photosensitizers as well as by absorption of blue light in the innermost layers of the retina in the centre of the macula, thereby preventing blue light reaching POS and RPE in this area [ 38 , 39 , 68 , 69 , 120 ]. The results of this study demonstrate that the scavenging of retinoid cation radicals can be added to the repertoire of antioxidant actions of AREDS2 antioxidants.…”