title: Supplementation with all three macular carotenoids: response, stability, and safety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to investigate serum and macular response to, and safety of supplementation with, meso-zeaxanthin (MZ), lutein (L), and zeaxanthin (Z), the carotenoids that constitute macular pigment (MP).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-four healthy subjects were recruited into this randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Subjects consumed one tablet per day containing 10.6 mg MZ, 5.9 mg L, and 1.2 mg Z (intervention, I group) or placebo (P group). The spatial profile of MP optical density (MPOD) was measured with customized heterochromatic flicker photometry (cHFP), and serum concentrations of L and Z were quantified by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Subjects were assessed at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. Clinical pathology analysis was performed at baseline and 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum concentrations of L and Z increased significantly in the I group (P = 0.001 and 0.003, respectively) and remained stable in the P group (P > 0.05). There was a significant increase in central MPOD in the I group (0.25°: P = 0.001; 0.5°: P = 0.001), with no significant change in the P group (P > 0.05). Clinical pathology analysis confirmed that all variables remained within the normal reference range, with the exception of total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which exhibited baseline values outside the accepted normal reference range before supplementation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Subjects supplemented with MZ, L, and Z exhibited significant increases in serum concentrations of these carotenoids and a subsequent increase in central MPOD. Pathology analysis suggested no adverse clinical implications of consuming these carotenoids. (http://isrctn.org number, ISRCTN60816411).
authors: Macular Pigment Research Group, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland.
authors: Eithne E
authors: EE
authors: Connolly
authors: Stephen
authors: S
authors: Beatty
authors: James
authors: J
authors: Loughman
authors: Alan N
authors: AN
authors: Howard
authors: Michael S
authors: MS
authors: Louw
authors: John M
authors: JM
authors: Nolan
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000502:physiology; D014975:Lutein / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010783:Photometry; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D055815:Young Adult; D065146:Zeaxanthins
chemical_list: D012168:Retinal Pigments; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; C584722:meso-zeaxanthin; D014975:Lutein