title: The role of lutein in eye-related disease.
abstract: The lens and retina of the human eye are exposed constantly to light and oxygen. In situ phototransduction and oxidative phosphorylation within photoreceptors produces a high level of phototoxic and oxidative related stress. Within the eye, the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are present in high concentrations in contrast to other human tissues. We discuss the role of lutein and zeaxanthin in ameliorating light and oxygen damage, and preventing age-related cellular and tissue deterioration in the eye. Epidemiologic research shows an inverse association between levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in eye tissues and age related degenerative diseases such as macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. We examine the role of these carotenoids as blockers of blue-light damage and quenchers of oxygen free radicals. This article provides a review of possible mechanisms of lutein action at a cellular and molecular level. Our review offers insight into current clinical trials and experimental animal studies involving lutein, and possible role of nutritional intervention in common ocular diseases that cause blindness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Florida, 580 West 8th Street, Tower II, 3rd Fl., Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA. Keyvan.Koushan@jax.ufl.edu
authors.forename: Keyvan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koushan
authors.forename: Raluca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rusovici
authors.forename: Wenhua
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lee R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Kakarla V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Chalam
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008027:Light / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014975:Lutein / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065146:Zeaxanthins
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D014975:Lutein