Consuming a Buttermilk Drink Containing Lutein-Enriched Egg Yolk Daily for 1 Year Increased Plasma Lutein but Did Not Affect Serum Lipid or Lipoprotein Concentrations in Adults with Early Signs of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Abstract

Dietary lutein intake is postulated to interfere with the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Because egg yolk-derived lutein has a high bioavailability, long-term consumption of lutein-enriched eggs might be effective in preventing AMD development, but alternatively might increase cardiovascular disease risk. Here, we report the effect of 1-y daily consumption of a buttermilk drink containing 1.5 lutein-rich egg yolks on serum lipid and lipoprotein and plasma lutein concentrations. Additionally, subgroups that could potentially benefit the most from the intervention were identified. Men and women who had early signs of AMD in at least 1 eye, but were otherwise healthy, participated in a 1-y randomized, placebo-controlled parallel intervention trial. At the start of the study, 101 participants were included: 52 in the experimental (Egg) group and 49 in the control (Con) group. Final analyses were performed with 45 participants in the Egg group and 43 participants in the Con group. As expected, the increase in plasma lutein concentrations in the Egg group was 83% higher than that in the Con group (P < 0.001). Changes in serum total, HDL, and LDL cholesterol, as well as the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol, were not different between the 2 groups. Interestingly, participants classified as cholesterol absorbers had higher serum HDL cholesterol concentrations than participants classified as cholesterol synthesizers or participants with average campesterol-to-lathosterol ratios (P < 0.05) at baseline. In addition, cholesterol absorbers had a 229% higher increase in plasma lutein concentrations than participants who were classified as having an average campesterol-to-lathosterol ratio upon consumption of the lutein-enriched egg yolk drink (P < 0.05). Moreover, the change in serum HDL cholesterol upon consumption was significantly different between these 3 groups (P < 0.05). We suggest that cholesterol absorbers particularly might benefit from the lutein-enriched buttermilk drink. This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00902408.

One-year daily consumption of buttermilk drink containing lutein-enriched egg-yolks does not affect endothelial function in fasting and postprandial state

“…As described earlier, no significant changes were found in fasting serum total-, HDL- and LDL cholesterol, total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio, apoB100, apoAI, TAG and NEFAs between the Egg and Con group over the 1-year intervention 13 . As shown in Fig.…”

“…Apart from a higher dietary cholesterol intake in the Egg group compared to the Con group (P < 0.001) and a lower oleic acid intake in the Egg group compared to the control group (P < 0.05) during the intervention, no differences were observed in total energy and nutrient intake during the study 13 .…”

“…Subjects were allowed to drink water at their convenience throughout the entire postprandial test. Additionally, subjects were asked to fill out a validated food frequency questionnaire at baseline and at the end of the intervention period, as reported elsewhere 13 .…”

“…Recently, we showed that one-year daily consumption of a buttermilk drink containing lutein-enriched egg-yolk did not significantly change fasting serum lipid or (apo)lipoprotein concentrations, whereas plasma lutein concentrations were markedly increased 13 . However, the fact that serum cholesterol concentrations were not significantly elevated does not exclude the possibility that endothelial function might have been affected.…”

An Overview on the Role of Macular Xanthophylls in Ocular Diseases

“…Patients over the age of 50 who had early symptoms of AMD consumpted lutein-enriched egg yolk based buttermilk drink daily for a year. Plasma lutein concentrations in the treated group increased significantly while the increases in serum LDL and total cholesterol (TC) levels were not compared to the control [77]. Daily intake of lutein and zeaxanthin were calculated by asking questions about food consumption to the subjects with early/late AMD and without AMD.…”