The Role of Lutein in Eye-Related Disease

Nutrients

Keyvan Koushan¹  Raluca Rusovici¹  Wenhua Li¹  Lee R. Ferguson¹ 

[1] Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, 580 West 8th Street, Tower II, 3rd Fl., Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA;

关键词: lutein;    age-related macular degeneration;    macular pigment;    heterochromatic flicker;    cataract;    macular diseases;    uveitis;    retinitis pigmentosa;   

DOI  :  10.3390/nu5051823

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The lens and retina of the human eye are exposed constantly to light and oxygen. In situ phototransduction and oxidative phosphorylation within photoreceptors produces a high level of phototoxic and oxidative related stress. Within the eye, the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are present in high concentrations in contrast to other human tissues. We discuss the role of lutein and zeaxanthin in ameliorating light and oxygen damage, and preventing age-related cellular and tissue deterioration in the eye. Epidemiologic research shows an inverse association between levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in eye tissues and age related degenerative diseases such as macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. We examine the role of these carotenoids as blockers of blue-light damage and quenchers of oxygen free radicals. This article provides a review of possible mechanisms of lutein action at a cellular and molecular level. Our review offers insight into current clinical trials and experimental animal studies involving lutein, and possible role of nutritional intervention in common ocular diseases that cause blindness.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.