title: Relationship between Concentrations of Lutein and StARD3 among Pediatric and Geriatric Human Brain Tissue.
abstract: Lutein, a dietary carotenoid, selectively accumulates in human retina and brain. While many epidemiological studies show evidence of a relationship between lutein status and cognitive health, lutein's selective uptake in human brain tissue and its potential function in early neural development and cognitive health have been poorly evaluated at a molecular level. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cross-sectional relationship between concentrations of brain lutein and StARD3 (identified as its binding protein in retinal tissue) among three age groups: infants (1-4 months, n = 10), older adults (55-86 years, n = 8), and centenarians (98-105 years, n = 10). Brain lutein concentrations were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and StARD3 levels were analyzed by Western Blot analysis. The strong relationship in infant brains (r = 0.75, P < 0.001) suggests that lutein has a role in neural development. The relationship remained significant but weaker in older adults (r = 0.51, P < 0.05) and insignificant in centenarians (r = 0.08, P > 0.05), seven of whom had mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. These exploratory findings suggest an age-related decrease or abnormality of StARD3 activity in human brain. Given that StARD3 is also involved in cholesterol transportation, a process that is aberrant in neurodegenerative diseases, the potential protective function of lutein against these diseases remains to be explored.
authors.affiliation: Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition, Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, United States of America.
authors.forename: Jirayu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tanprasertsuk
authors.affiliation: Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, United States of America.
authors.forename: Binxing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Moran Eye Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, United States of America.
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Bernstein
authors.affiliation: Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition, Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, United States of America.
authors.forename: Rohini
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vishwanathan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Gerontology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, United States of America.
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Gerontology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, United States of America.
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Poon
authors.affiliation: Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition, Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, United States of America.
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D014975:Lutein / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C105684:STARD3 protein, human; D002338:Carotenoids; D014975:Lutein