title: Enrichment of Macular Pigment Enhances Contrast Sensitivity in Subjects Free of Retinal Disease: Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Trials - Report 1.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The high-performance visual function associated with central vision is mediated by the macula (the central retina), which accumulates three diet-derived pigments (the carotenoids lutein [L], zeaxanthin [Z], and meso-zeaxanthin [MZ]). Our study sought to investigate the impact on visual function, including contrast sensitivity (CS), of supplementation with these naturally occurring carotenoids, in individuals with low retinal concentrations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects consumed daily a formulation containing 10 mg L, 2 mg Z, and 10 mg MZ (active group; n = 53) or placebo (n = 52) for a period of 12 months. Study visits were at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Contrast sensitivity at 6 cycles per degree (cpd) was the primary outcome measure (POM). Secondary outcome measures included CS at other spatial frequencies, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), glare disability, photostress recovery, and light scatter. Macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was measured using dual-wavelength autofluorescence, and serum carotenoid concentrations were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to placebo, statistically significant improvements from baseline CS were detected at 6 (P = 0.002) and 1.2 (P = 0.004) cpd in the active group. Additionally, improvements in CS were commensurate with the observed increases in retinal concentrations of these carotenoids (r = 0.342, P = 0.002 at 6 cpd).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that dietary fortification with the macular carotenoids can have meaningful effects on visual function.
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Sciences, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Sciences, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Power
authors.affiliation: Nutritional Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States.
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stringham
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Sciences, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dennison
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Sciences, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stack
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Sciences, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Sciences, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Sciences, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Kwadwo O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Akuffo
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Sciences, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Corcoran
authors.affiliation: Macular Pigment Research Group Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, School of Health Sciences, Carriganore House, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, Ireland.
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beatty
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000187:drug effects*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000503:physiopathology; D065348:Macular Pigment / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000187:drug effects; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects; D065146:Zeaxanthins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D065348:Macular Pigment; D065146:Zeaxanthins; C584722:meso-zeaxanthin; D014975:Lutein