The effect of lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich foods v. supplements on macular pigment level and serological markers of endothelial activation inflammation and oxidation pilot studies in healthy volunteers: pilot studies in healthy volunteers

The aim of the present study was to compare the effect of lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich foods and supplements on macular pigment level (MPL) and serological markers of endothelial activation, inflammation and oxidation in healthy volunteers. We conducted two 8-week intervention studies. Study 1 (n 52) subjects were randomised to receive either carrot juice (a carotene-rich food) or spinach powder (a lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich food) for 8 weeks. Study 2 subjects (n 75) received supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin, β-carotene, or placebo for 8 weeks in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. MPL, serum concentrations of lipid-soluble antioxidants, inter-cellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, C-reactive protein and F2-isoprostane levels were assessed at baseline and post-intervention in both studies. In these intervention studies, no effects on MPL or markers of endothelial activation, inflammation or oxidation were observed. However, the change in serum lutein and zeaxanthin was associated or tended to be associated with the change in MPL in those receiving lutein- and zeaxanthin-rich foods (lutein r 0·40, P = 0·05; zeaxanthin r 0·30, P = 0·14) or the lutein and zeaxanthin supplement (lutein r 0·43, P = 0·03; zeaxanthin r 0·22, P = 0·28). In both studies, the change in MPL was associated with baseline MPL (food study r − 0·54, P &lt; 0·001; supplement study r − 0·40, P &lt; 0·001). We conclude that this 8-week supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin, whether as foods or as supplements, had no significant effect on MPL or serological markers of endothelial activation, inflammation and oxidation in healthy volunteers, but may improve MPL in the highest serum responders and in those with initially low MPL.</jats:p

An investigation of the effects of lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation on inflammatory markers, oxidative stress and age-related macular degeneration risk

Age-related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness. Numerous risk factors have been proposed, and many are common to both AMD and CVD. Similar processes in the pathogenesis of these diseases pave been proposed, i~cluding oxidative stress and inflammation. Antioxidants associated with CVD risk, oxidative stress and inflammation may be involved in AMD prevention, particularly the macular carotenoids. Different study designs were used including a cross-sectional study, an 8week intervention study comparing carotenoid-rich foods, an 8-week randomised double-blind placebo-controlled intervention study, and a casecontrol study. In the cross-sectional study, smokers had higher ICAM-1 levels, and lower antioxidant levels. MPD was inversely associated with age. In the intervention studies, no difference in change in MPD between groups was· observed, and no difference in change in inflammatory and/or oxidative stress markers was noted. In the case-control study, 8MI and smoking were shown to be risk factors for AMD. Ch91esterol was higher in AMD cases than controls. A higher proportion of sUbjects with IHD history had a history of hypercholesterolaemia, and a higher proportion were AMD cases than those with no IHD history. These findings suggest smokers may have increased risk of AMD and CVD through reduced antioxidant status and increased endothelial activation. The lack of association between lutein, zeaxanthin, and MPD, and. the nonsignificant difference in change in MPD, oxidative stress markers, and inflammatory markers between groups in both intervention studies is adverse to previous research. The case-control study confirmed that 8MI, and smoking are risk factors for AMD. The finding that a higher proportion of subjects with IHD history were AMD cases gives support to these diseases having common causal mechanisms. Until therapies for AMD and CVD are established, prevention through modification of risk factors may be most beneficial in reducing disease risk.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Cardiovascular disease and hypertension are strong risk factors for choroidal neovascularization.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association of cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory markers with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). DESIGN: Cross-sectional case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: Of the 410 of the >/=65-year-old community sample invited to attend, 205 participated (50% response rate). Of the 215 clinic attendees who were invited to participate, 212 agreed to take part (98% response rate). A diagnosis of neovascular AMD in at least one eye was made in 193 clinic attendees and 2 of the community sample. METHODS: Clinic and community participants underwent a detailed ophthalmic examination with fundus imaging, were interviewed for assessment of putative risk factors, and provided a blood sample. Analysis included levels of serum lipids, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM), vascular cellular adhesion molecule (VCAM), and C-reactive protein (CRP). All participants were classified by fundus image grading on the basis of the eye with more severe AMD features. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Neovascular AMD. RESULTS: There were 195 participants with choroidal neovascularization in at least one eye, 97 nonneovascular AMD participants, and 115 controls (no drusen or pigmentary irregularities in either eye). In confounder-adjusted logistic regression, a history of cardiovascular disease was strongly associated with neovascular AMD (odds ratio [OR], 7.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.78-20.41). Cigarette smoking (OR, 3.71; 95% CI, 1.25-11.06), being in the highest quartile of body mass index (OR, 3.82; 95% CI, 1.22-12.01), stage 2 hypertension (OR, 3.21; 95% CI, 1.14-8.98), and being in the highest quartile of serum cholesterol (OR, 4.66; 95% CI, 1.35-16.13) were positively associated with neovascular AMD. There was no association between AMD status and serum CRP, ICAM, or VCAM. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that cardiovascular disease plays an etiological role in the development of choroidal neovascularization in a proportion of older adults and highlight the importance of control of blood pressure and cholesterol, avoidance of smoking, and maintenance of a normal body weight