Lutein supplementation leads to decreased soluble complement membrane attack complex sC5b‐9 plasma levels

Abstract

ABSTRACT.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of lutein on systemic complement activation in elderly individuals. Methods: Seventy patients with signs of early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were included in this study. All subjects were randomly assigned to receive a 10 mg daily dose of lutein or a placebo for a time period of 1 year. EDTA blood was collected before and at various time-points during the study (0, 4, 8 and 12 months). The plasma level of the soluble complement membrane attack complex sC5b-9 was measured by ELISA. Results: We found a significant 1.1 ng/ml monthly decrease in the plasma sC5b-9 concentration in the lutein group (p < 0.001), resulting in a decrease from 60.3 ng/ml at baseline to 46.3 ng/ml at 12 months. For the placebo group, we found a significant 0.6 ng/ml monthly increase in plasma sC5b-9 concentration (p = 0.001), resulting in an increase from 51.6 ng/ml at baseline to 58.4 ng/ml at 12 months. Conclusions: Lutein supplementation inhibits the systemic activation of the complement system, which provides further functional evidence for the reported beneficial effects of this carotenoid in the management of AMD.

The Impact of Cataract, and Its Surgical Removal, on Measures of Macular Pigment Using the Heidelberg Spectralis HRA+OCT MultiColor Device

“…1 Macular pigment's anatomic location, 2 short-wavelength (blue) light filtering properties, 3 and antioxidant [4][5][6] and anti-inflammatory properties [7][8][9][10] make this pigment important for vision in diseased [11][12][13] and nondiseased retinas. 14,15 Given the importance of MP for vision and its role in reducing risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) progression, 16 there is clearly a need to measure this pigment accurately in vivo in the clinical and the research setting.…”

Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Complementopathy?

“…In view of the central role of FD in the C3 feedback loop and its raised levels in AMD, it has been suggested that it is one of the complement proteins that could be therapeutically targeted in AMD patients [76]. We have recently shown that lutein supplementation was able to markedly decrease the levels of plasma FD and the activation products C3d, C5a and sC5b-9 in patients with early AMD [77,78]. Earlier studies reporting FD levels in the plasma from AMD patients did not mention if their subjects were taking supplements.…”

“…Epidemiological studies have shown that a higher intake of zinc and lutein delays the progression of late AMD [76,82]. Not only lutein affects complement [77,78]. A Dutch study recently showed that zinc supplementation leads to decreased systemic complement activation in AMD [83].…”

Concordance of Macular Pigment Measurement Using Customized Heterochromatic Flicker Photometry and Fundus Autofluorescence in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

“…2,3 Macular pigment filters short-wavelength (blue) light and its constituent carotenoids have antioxidant 4,5 and anti-inflammatory properties. [6][7][8][9] Macular pigment's unique anatomic location, blue light filtering properties, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties make this pigment important for visual function. 10 Macular pigment (and its constituent carotenoids) may have an important role in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by reducing oxidative stress via its antioxidant properties as well as limiting the effect of inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of this condition.…”