title: Effect of supplemental lutein and zeaxanthin on serum, macular pigmentation, and visual performance in patients with early age-related macular degeneration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the 2-year effect of multiple doses of lutein/zeaxanthin on serum, macular pigmentation, and visual performance on patients with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized, double-blinded, and placebo-controlled trial, 112 early AMD patients randomly received either 10 mg lutein, 20 mg lutein, a combination of lutein (10 mg) and zeaxanthin (10 mg), or placebo daily for 2 years. Serum concentration of lutein/zeaxanthin, macular pigment optical density (MPOD), visual functions including best-spectacle corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), flash recovery time (FRT), and vision-related quality of life (VFQ25) was quantified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum lutein concentration and MPOD significantly increased in all the active treatment groups. Supplementation with 20 mg lutein was the most effective in increasing MPOD and CS at 3 cycles/degree for the first 48 weeks. However, they both significantly increased to the same peak value following supplementation with either 10 mg or 20 mg lutein during the intervention. No statistical changes of BCVA or FRT were observed during the trial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Long-term lutein supplementation could increase serum lutein concentration, MPOD, and visual sensitivities of early AMD patients. 10 mg lutein daily might be an advisable long-term dosage for early AMD treatment.
authors: Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
authors: Yang-Mu
authors: YM
authors: Huang
authors: Peking University Eye Center, Peking University Third Hospital, 49 Huayuan North Road, Beijing 100191, China.
authors: Hong-Liang
authors: HL
authors: Dou
authors: Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
authors: Fei-Fei
authors: FF
authors: Huang
authors: Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
authors: Xian-Rong
authors: XR
authors: Xu
authors: Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
authors: Zhi-Yong
authors: ZY
authors: Zou
authors: Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xueyuan Road, Beijing 100191, China.
authors: Xiao-Ming
authors: 0000-0003-0436-1324
authors: XM
authors: Lin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D065348:Macular Pigment / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D065146:Zeaxanthins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D065348:Macular Pigment; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D014975:Lutein