Macular Pigment Lutein Is Antiinflammatory in Preventing Choroidal Neovascularization

Abstract

Background-Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a critical pathogenesis in age-related macular degeneration, the most common cause of blindness in the developed countries. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of lutein supplementation on the development of the murine model of laser-induced CNV together with underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods and Results-Mice were orally pretreated with lutein daily from 3 days before laser photocoagulation untill the end of the study. The index of CNV volume was significantly suppressed by the treatment with lutein, compared with vehicle-treated animals. Lutein treatment led to significant inhibition of macrophage infiltration into CNV and of the in vivo and in vitro expression of inflammation-related molecules including vascular endothelial growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein Ϫ1, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Importantly, lutein suppressed IB-␣ degradation and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor (NF)-B p65 both in vivo and in vitro. Additionally, the development of CNV was significantly suppressed by inhibiting NF-B p65 nuclear translocation, to the levels seen in the lutein treatment. Conclusions-Lutein treatment led to significant suppression of CNV development together with inflammatory processes including NF-B activation and subsequent upregulation of inflammatory molecules, providing molecular evidence of potential validity of lutein supplementation as a therapeutic strategy to suppress CNV. (Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol.

The association between macular pigment optical density and CFH, ARMS2, C2/BF, and C3 genotype

“…It has also been shown that the administration of antioxidants can prevent light-induced retinal damage in rat retinas (Organisciak et al, 1999). More recently, dietary supplementation with L in mice has been reported to suppress laser-induced CNV formation, and to inhibit the associated inflammatory and angiogenic molecules related to CNV pathogenesis (Izumi-Nagai et al, 2007). This inhibitory effect of L on inflammatory and angiogenic processes was also confirmed in vitro by the application of L to specific cell cultures including human ARPE-19 cells (Izumi-Nagai et al, 2007).…”

“…More recently, dietary supplementation with L in mice has been reported to suppress laser-induced CNV formation, and to inhibit the associated inflammatory and angiogenic molecules related to CNV pathogenesis (Izumi-Nagai et al, 2007). This inhibitory effect of L on inflammatory and angiogenic processes was also confirmed in vitro by the application of L to specific cell cultures including human ARPE-19 cells (Izumi-Nagai et al, 2007). Furthermore, in early 2008, Hollyfield et al were the first to demonstrate a molecular pathway from the initial oxidative damage to tissue molecules, leading to activation of inflammation via the complement system and the development of an antibodymediated immune response, and histopathological changes typical of AMD (Hollyfield et al, 2008).…”

Effect of carotenoid supplementation on plasma carotenoids, inflammation and visual development in preterm infants

“…4 It is relevant that perinatal inflammation, often caused or exacerbated by oxidative stress, features in the pathogenesis of common diseases of prematurity. [5][6][7] Several investigators have suggested dietary carotenoids might enhance retinal function in infants [8][9][10][11] and protect against inflammation and oxidative damage. [12][13][14][15][16] However, research into this important subject in neonatal nutrition is limited.…”

Lutein – The Less Explored Carotenoid

“…[ 104] In another study conducted on 50 subjects affected by dry skin, lutein supplements proved out to be beneficial and resulted in a decrease in 40% of oxidative stress when measured by various vision surveillance tests. [105] Authors have also documented lutein as one of naturally occurring carotenoids with antioxidative, antitumorigenic, antiangiogenic, photoprotective, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective properties.…”