BACKGROUND: Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids in the macular region of the retina (referred to as macular pigment [MP]). Foods that are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin can increase MP density. Response to dietary lutein and zeaxanthin in other tissues has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine tissue responses to dietary lutein and zeaxanthin and relations among tissues in lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations. DESIGN: Seven subjects consumed spinach and corn, which contain lutein and zeaxanthin, with their daily diets for 15 wk. At 0, 4, 8, and 15 wk and 2 mo after the study, serum, buccal mucosa cells, and adipose tissue were analyzed for carotenoids, and MP density was measured. RESULTS: Serum and buccal cell concentrations of lutein increased significantly from baseline during dietary modification. Serum zeaxanthin concentrations were greater than at baseline only at 4 wk, whereas buccal cell and adipose tissue concentrations of zeaxanthin did not change. Adipose tissue lutein concentrations peaked at 8 wk. Changes in adipose tissue lutein concentration were inversely related to the changes in MP density, suggesting an interaction between adipose tissue and retina in lutein metabolism. To investigate the possibility of tissue interactions, we examined cross-sectional relations among serum, tissue, and dietary lutein concentrations, anthropometric measures, and MP density in healthy adults. Significant negative correlations were found between adipose tissue lutein concentrations and MP for women, but a significant positive relation was found for men. CONCLUSION: Sex differences in lutein metabolism may be an important factor in tissue interactions and in determining MP density.
BACKGROUND: Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids in the macular region of the retina (referred to as macular pigment [MP]). Foods that are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin can increase MP density. Response to dietary lutein and zeaxanthin in other tissues has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine tissue responses to dietary lutein and zeaxanthin and relations among tissues in lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations. DESIGN: Seven subjects consumed spinach and corn, which contain lutein and zeaxanthin, with their daily diets for 15 wk. At 0, 4, 8, and 15 wk and 2 mo after the study, serum, buccal mucosa cells, and adipose tissue were analyzed for carotenoids, and MP density was measured. RESULTS: Serum and buccal cell concentrations of lutein increased significantly from baseline during dietary modification. Serum zeaxanthin concentrations were greater than at baseline only at 4 wk, whereas buccal cell and adipose tissue concentrations of zeaxanthin did not change. Adipose tissue lutein concentrations peaked at 8 wk. Changes in adipose tissue lutein concentration were inversely related to the changes in MP density, suggesting an interaction between adipose tissue and retina in lutein metabolism. To investigate the possibility of tissue interactions, we examined cross-sectional relations among serum, tissue, and dietary lutein concentrations, anthropometric measures, and MP density in healthy adults. Significant negative correlations were found between adipose tissue lutein concentrations and MP for women, but a significant positive relation was found for men. CONCLUSION: Sex differences in lutein metabolism may be an important factor in tissue interactions and in determining MP density.
Authors: Alessandro Iannaccone; Marco Mura; Kevin T Gallaher; Elizabeth J Johnson; William Andrew Todd; Emily Kenyon; Tarsha L Harris; Tamara Harris; Suzanne Satterfield; Karen C Johnson; Stephen B Kritchevsky Journal: Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci Date: 2007-04 Impact factor: 4.799
Authors: Kevin T Gallaher; Marco Mura; Wm Andrew Todd; Tarsha L Harris; Emily Kenyon; Tamara Harris; Karen C Johnson; Suzanne Satterfield; Stephen B Kritchevsky; Alessandro Iannaccone Journal: Vision Res Date: 2007-03-21 Impact factor: 1.886
Authors: Rohini Vishwanathan; Alessandro Iannaccone; Tammy M Scott; Stephen B Kritchevsky; Barbara J Jennings; Giovannella Carboni; Gina Forma; Suzanne Satterfield; Tamara Harris; Karen C Johnson; Wolfgang Schalch; Lisa M Renzi; Caterina Rosano; Elizabeth J Johnson Journal: Age Ageing Date: 2014-01-15 Impact factor: 10.668
Authors: Yingming Wang; D Roger Illingworth; Sonja L Connor; P Barton Duell; William E Connor Journal: Eur J Nutr Date: 2010-01-16 Impact factor: 5.614