No abstract

BackgroundThe xanthophyll carotenoids lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) are found in and around the macula of the primate retina, where they are termed macular pigment (MP). Dietary L and Z are absorbed with fat in the gut and transported on lipoproteins to the retina. Both MP and serum lipoproteins have been related to risk for neurodegenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD). L and Z are carried on both HDL (related to reduced risk of AMD) and LDL (related to increased risk). The purpose of this set of studies was to analyze the relation between L and Z in the serum and retina with the circulating lipid profile.MethodsIn all experiments, lipoproteins were measured enzymatically from plasma, and MP optical density (MPOD) was measured using customized heterochromatic flicker photometry. Experiment 1: Relations between serum L and Z, MPOD and lipoprotein levels. 108 young, healthy subjects (M = 23.2, SD = 4.12 years) participated. Lipoprotein levels and MPOD were measured. In a subset of 66 participants, serum L and Z levels were also measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Experiment 2: Relations between lipoprotein levels and MPOD in statin users. 20 subjects (M = 58.05, SD = 11.08 years) taking statin medication and 20 subjects (M = 57.95, SD = 11.03 years) not taking satin were recruited for participation. MPOD and lipoprotein levels were measured. Experiment 3: lowering lipoprotein levels to impact MPOD. One individual (aged 41 years) with high MP density adhered first to an atorvastatin regimen, then, after a wash-out period, to a rosuvastatin regimen.ResultsExperiment 1: HDL were significantly (p < 0.05) related to MPOD (r = 0.33), to serum L (r = 0.36) and to serum Z (r = 0.26). MPOD was also significantly related to total cholesterol (r = 0.19). Experiment 2: MPOD was not lower in statin users when compared to matched non-statin users, but MPOD decreased significantly with increased duration of statin use (r = −0.63). Experiment 3: Administration of a statin regimen reduced MPOD with atorvastatin (p < 0.05) but not with rosuvastatin.ConclusionsSerum xanthophylls, retinal xanthophylls and lipoprotein concentrations are significantly related, and changing lipoprotein levels may impact levels of retinal xanthophylls.

No abstract

Lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) are incorporated into the neural retina as macular pigment (MP), which is a biomarker of L+Z distributed throughout the cortex. Cortical L+Z may have the ability to improve cognitive function. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not MP relates to cognition in healthy elders and elders with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). 41 elders (M = 75.5 ± 6.3 years) participated. 15 of the 41 elders met criteria for MCI. MP density was measured psychophysically, and cognition was assessed via the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Visual processing speed was also measured. MP density was related to cognitive function in the visuospatial (r = 0.43, p < 0.05) and attentional (r = 0.47, p < 0.05) domains of the RBANS in elders with MCI, but not in unimpaired elders. Elders with MCI were also less sensitive to flicker. These results suggest that MP's relationship to cognition varies with cognitive impairment.