Macular pigment density changes in Japanese individuals supplemented with lutein or zeaxanthin: quantification via resonance Raman spectrophotometry and autofluorescence imaging.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to determine whether either lutein or zeaxanthin supplementation affects macular pigment concentration/optical density (MPOD) in healthy Japanese individuals.


METHODS
Twenty-two healthy volunteers were randomized to either 10 mg of orally administered lutein or zeaxanthin daily for up to 3 months. MPOD levels were measured by resonance Raman spectrophotometry (RRS) and one-wavelength autofluorescence imaging (AFI) at baseline and 1, 2, and 3 months after the start of supplementation.


RESULTS
MPOD levels measured with each method were correlated significantly at all time points. MPOD(RRS) and MPOD(AFI) levels increased >20 % from baseline at 2 and 3 months after lutein supplementation. By multiple regression analyses, the refractive error was correlated positively with MPOD(RRS) levels at baseline, whereas age and sex were not significant. In the lutein group, MPOD(RRS) levels significantly increased from baseline at all time points in individuals without high myopia exceeding -4 diopters, whereas the increase was not observed in individuals with high myopia. In the zeaxanthin group, MPOD(RRS) levels remained unchanged in those with and without high myopia.


CONCLUSIONS
MPOD(RRS) and MPOD(AFI) levels correlated significantly with each other. In normal healthy Japanese individuals without high myopia, lutein supplementation increased MPOD levels within the fovea more effectively than did zeaxanthin.
Department of Ophthalmology, Shimane University Faculty of Medicine, Izumo, Shimane, Japan.
Masaki
M
Tanito
Akira
A
Obana
Yuko
Y
Gohto
Shigetoshi
S
Okazaki
Werner
W
Gellermann
Akihiro
A
Ohira
D000328:Adult; D003720:Densitometry; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D005470:Fluorometry; D006801:Humans; D008062:Lipofuscin / Q000378:metabolism; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012168:Retinal Pigments / Q000378:metabolism*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D014792:Visual Acuity; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D055815:Young Adult; D065146:Zeaxanthins
D008062:Lipofuscin; D012168:Retinal Pigments; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D014975:Lutein