Short-term supplementation with lutein affects biomarkers of lutein status similarly in young and elderly subjects.
There is evidence that lutein may protect against age-related macular degeneration, cataract, cancers and cardiovascular diseases, but no data have been published on the effect of age on lutein status. The purpose of this work was to determine whether there are major differences in the status of this carotenoid between young and elderly subjects. Initial lutein status and the effect of a 5-week lutein supplementation (9 mg/d) on the most common markers of lutein status were compared in 12 young (26.9+/-0.8yr) and 17 older subjects (67.3+/-1.1yr). Lutein was measured by HPLC in fasting serum, adipose tissue and buccal mucosa cells (BMC) before and after supplementation. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD), which partly depends on retina lutein concentration, was measured by reflectometry before and after supplementation. Initial lutein status was not significantly different between the two groups, irrespective of the lutein status marker. Plasma and BMC lutein concentrations significantly increased in both groups after lutein supplementation, but not MPOD or adipose tissue lutein. Plasma and BMC responses to lutein supplementation (percent variation from initial values) were not significantly different between the two groups. These results suggest that there is no major effect of age on lutein status in healthy subjects.
Unité Maladies Métaboliques et Micronutriments, INRA, Clermont-Ferrand/Theix, 63122, Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France.
Nicolas
N
Cardinault
Jean Marie
JM
Gorrand
Viviane
V
Tyssandier
Pascal
P
Grolier
Edmond
E
Rock
Patrick
P
Borel
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000378:metabolism; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D012168:Retinal Pigments; D014975:Lutein