title: Putative protective role of lutein and zeaxanthin in diabetic retinopathy.
abstract: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most important microvascular complications of diabetes and remains the leading cause of blindness in the working-age individuals. The exact aetiopathogenesis of DR remains elusive despite major advances in basic science and clinical research. Oxidative damage as one of the underlying causes for DR is increasingly being recognised. In humans, three hydroxycarotenoids, lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z) andmeso-zeaxanthin (MZ), accumulate at the central retina (to the exclusion of all other dietary carotenoids), where they are collectively known as macular pigment. These hydroxycarotenoids by nature of their biochemical structure and function help neutralise reactive oxygen species, and thereby, prevent oxidative damage to the retina (biological antioxidants). Apart from their key antioxidant function, evidence is emerging that these carotenoids may also exhibit neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory function in the retina. Since the preliminary identification of hydroxycarotenoid in the human macula by Wald in the 1940s, there has been astounding progress in our knowledge of the role of these carotenoids in promoting ocular health. While the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 has established a clinical benefit for L and Z supplements in patients with age-related macular degeneration, the role of these carotenoids in other retinal diseases potentially linked to oxidative damage remains unclear. In this article, we comprehensively review the literature germane to the putative protective role of two hydroxycarotenoids, L and Z, in the pathogenesis of DR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.|Singapore Eye Research Institute, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Kumari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Neelam
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Catherina J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Goenadi
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lun
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Chee Chew
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Yip
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore.|Singapore International Eye Cataract Retina Centre, Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore.|International Eye Cataract Retina Centre, Farrer Park Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Kah-Guan
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Au Eong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003930:Diabetic Retinopathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008268:Macular Degeneration / Q000188:drug therapy; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D065146:Zeaxanthins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D014975:Lutein
keywords: Retina; Treatment Medical