title: Lutein, zeaxanthin, macular pigment, and visual function in adult cystic fibrosis patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pancreatic insufficiency in cystic fibrosis (CF), even with replacement pancreatic enzyme therapy, is often associated with decreased carotenoid absorption. Because the macular pigment of the retina is largely derived from 2 carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, the decreased serum concentrations seen in CF may have consequences for ocular and retinal health
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our aims were to determine plasma carotenoid concentrations, determine absorption and distribution of macular pigment, and assess retinal health and visual function in CF patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 10 adult CF patients (ages 21-47 y) and 10 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects, we measured macular pigment density in vivo, measured serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations, and comprehensively assessed visual performance (including contrast sensitivity, color discrimination, and retinal function) under conditions of daylight illumination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum lutein and zeaxanthin were significantly reduced (P < 0.005) in CF patients ( +/- SD: 87 +/- 36.1 and 27 +/- 15.8 nmol/L, respectively) compared with control subjects (190 +/- 72.1 and 75 +/- 23.6 nmol/L, respectively). Although macular pigment optical density was significantly lower (P < 0.0001) in the CF group (0.24 +/- 0.11) than in the control group (0.53 +/- 0.12), no significant differences in visual function were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adults with CF have dramatically low serum and macular concentrations of carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin), but their ocular status and visual function are surprisingly good. The clinical implications of low plasma concentrations of carotenoids in CF are yet to be clarified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schupp
authors.forename: Estibaliz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Olano-Martin
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gerth
authors.forename: Brian M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Morrissey
authors.forename: Carroll E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Werner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003118:Color Perception; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004596:Electroretinography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012160:Retina / Q000378:metabolism*; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene; D014975:Lutein