Chronic alcohol intake can affect both liver and intestinal barrier function. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the function and mechanism of lutein administration on the chronic ethanol-induced liver and intestinal barrier damage in rats. During the 14-week experimental cycle, seventy rats were randomly divided into seven groups, with 10 rats in each group: a normal control group (Co), a control group of lutein interventions (24 mg/kg/day), an ethanol model group (Et, 8–12 mL/kg/day of 56% (v/v) ethanol), three intervention groups with lutein (12, 24 and 48 mg/kg/day) and a positive control group (DG). The results showed that liver index, ALT, AST and TG levels were increased, and SOD and GSH-Px levels were reduced in the Et group. Furthermore, alcohol intake over a long time increased the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, disrupted the intestinal barrier, and stimulated the release of LPS, causing further liver injury. In contrast, lutein interventions prevented alcohol-induced alterations in liver tissue, oxidative stress and inflammation. In addition, the protein expression of Claudin-1 and Occludin in ileal tissues was upregulated by lutein intervention. In conclusion, lutein can improve chronic alcoholic liver injury and intestinal barrier dysfunction in rats.

Chronic excessive alcohol intake may lead to male reproductive damage. Lutein is a carotenoid compound with antioxidant activity. The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of lutein supplementation on male reproductive damage caused by excessive alcohol intake. In this study, an animal model of excessive drinking (12 mL/(kg.bw.d)) for 12 weeks was established and supplemented with different doses of lutein (12, 24, 48 mg/(kg.bw.d)). The results showed that the body weight, sperm quality, sex hormones (FSH, testosterone), and antioxidant markers (GSH-Px) decreased significantly, while MDA and inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α) increased significantly in the alcohol model group when compared to the normal control group. After 12 weeks of high-dose lutein supplementation with 48mg/(kg.bw.d), the spermatogenic ability, testosterone level, and the activity of marker enzymes reflecting testicular injury were improved. In addition, high-dose lutein supplementation downregulated the NF-κB and the pro-apoptosis biomarkers (Bax, Cytc and caspase-3), whereas it upregulated the expression of Nrf2/HO-1 and the anti-apoptotic molecule Bcl-2. These findings were fully supported by analyzing the testicular histopathology and by measuring germ cell apoptosis. In conclusion, lutein protects against reproductive injury induced by excessive alcohol through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties.