Lutein ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity, fatty liver, and glucose intolerance in C57BL/6J mice.

Obesity is a multi-factorial metabolic syndrome that increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. We recently demonstrated the antiadipogenic efficacy of lutein using a 3 T3-L1 cell culture model. This study aimed to examine the antiobesity efficacy of lutein on high-fat (60% kcal fat) diet-induced C57BL/6J obese mice model. Lutein (300 and 500 µM), Orlistat (30 mg/kg body weight - positive control), and its combination (orlistat, 15 mg/kg body weight+lutein, 300 µM) were administered in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice every other day for 24 weeks. The effect on serum and hepatic lipid parameters was estimated using biochemical assay kits. The adipose tissue expression of adipocyte differentiation markers at gene and protein levels was analyzed by RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. The results showed that lutein administration and drug significantly reduced epididymal and abdominal adipose tissue weights. Further, lutein reduced the serum cholesterol and LDL-C concentration compared to the HFD group. The HFD-induced elevation in the hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol levels were significantly blocked by lutein and its combination with the drug. Similarly, lutein and its drug combination efficiently lowered the HFD-mediated elevated blood glucose levels. Lutein downregulated the expression of CEBP-α, PPAR-γ, and FAS in the epididymal adipose tissue. Thus, supplementation of lutein may control diet-induced obesity and associated complications in the human population.

Fatty acids modulate the efficacy of lutein in cataract prevention: Assessment of oxidative and inflammatory parameters in rats.

BACKGROUND: Effects of lutein (L) and fatty acids [linoleic acid (LA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)+docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and oleic acid (OA)] on oxidative stress and inflammation in cataract were assessed. METHODS: Cataract was induced in male Wistar rat pups (11 days old) by giving a single dose of sodium selenite (25 µM/kg body weight) by IP. Lutein (1.3 µmol/kg body weight) was given one day before and five days after selenite injection as a micelle with 7.5 mM LA, or 7.5 mM EPA + DHA or 7.5 mM OA. Serum and lens oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters having a bearing cataract were assessed. RESULTS: Serum and lens nitric oxide, MDA and protein carbonyls were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in cataract compared to control and experimental groups. Catalase, SOD, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione transferase activity and glutathione level in serum and lens of cataract group were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. Serum eicosanoids (PGE2, LTB4, and LTC4) and cytokines (CRP, TNF-α, IL1-ß, and MCP-1) were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in cataract. The activity of cPLA2 and Cox-2 in cataract lens was higher (p < 0.05) compared to other groups. EP-1, NOS-2 and NF-kB expression were higher (p < 0.05) in cataract. The ratio of water insoluble to water soluble protein was increased in cataract lens. Group administered with L + EPA + DHA exhibited highest cataract prevention compared to L + LA and L + OA. Pups given lutein with EPA + DHA had the highest amount of lutein in the lens. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-cataract activity of lutein was influenced by fatty acids and found to be highest with EPA + DHA compared to LA or OA.

Dietary Components Affect the Plasma and Tissue Levels of Lutein in Aged Rats with Lutein Deficiency--A Repeated Gavage and Dietary Study.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to find out the influence of selected dietary components on plasma and tissue response of repeated micellar and dietary lutein in aged rats with lutein deficiency. In repeated (16 d) gavage study, micellar lutein was co-ingested with either phosphatidylcholine (PC), lyso-phosphatidylcholine (lysoPC), ß-carotene, dietary fiber or vegetable fat (3% soybean oil). In dietary study, rats were fed (4 wk) semi-synthetic diet either with lutein + PC, lutein + dietary fiber or B. alba (lutein source) + PC. The post-prandial plasma and tissue response of lutein was measured by HPLC. Results showed that micellar fat, PC and lysoPC significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased the lutein levels in plasma (31.1%, 26.8%, and 34.9%), liver (27.4%, 29.5%, and 8.6%), and eyes (63.5%, 90.2%, and 86%) compared to the control group (group gavaged micelles with no dietary components studied). Similarly, dietary study showed an enhanced plasma, liver, and eye lutein levels by 44.8%, 24.1%, and 42.0% (lutein + PC group) and 51.7%, 39.8%, and 31.7% (B.alba + PC group), respectively compared to control. The activity of antioxidant enzymes in plasma and liver of both the studies were also affected compared to control. Result reveals, that PC enhance the intestinal absorption of both micellar and dietary lutein which is either in free or bound form with food matrices in aged rats with lutein deficiency. Hence, PC at a concentration used in this study can be considered to improve the lutein bioavailability in lutein deficiency. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Lutein and zeaxanthin are macular pigments acquired mostly from greens, that play an significant role in protecting vision from Age related macular degeneration (AMD). However, their biological availability is poor and affected by dietary components. This study demonstrates the positive influence of dietary PC and lyso PC in improving intestinal uptake of lutein. Our previous and present finding shows there is a possibility of developing functional/supplemental foods with PC and lyso PC targeted to elderly populace thus minimizing or delaying the vision complication associated like AMD.

Dietary and lifestyle risk factors associated with age-related macular degeneration: a hospital based study.

AIM: To establish the frequency, associations and risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in hospital population of South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional hospital based study, 3549 subjects (2090 men and 1459 women) above 45 years of age were screened randomly for AMD. Participants underwent ocular evaluation and were interviewed for lifestyle variables and dietary intake of carotenoids by structured food frequency questionnaire. AMD was defined according to the international classifications and grading system. RESULTS: Either form of AMD was detected in 77 (2.2%) participants. Of which, early and late AMD was present in 63 (1.8%) and 14 (0.4%) subjects, respectively. Binary logistic analysis showed that the incidence of AMD was significantly higher with increasing age (Odds ratio [OR] 1.17; 95% CI 1.13-1.22) and diabetes (OR 3.97; 95% CI 2.11-7.46). However, AMD was significant among heavy cigarette smokers (OR 5.58; 95% CI 0.88-7.51) and alcoholics (OR 4.85; 95% CI 2.45-12.22). Dietary lutein/zeaxanthin (L/Z) and ß-carotene intake were associated (P < 0.001) with the reduction in risk for AMD, with an OR of 0.38 and 0.65, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Higher dietary intake of carotenoids, especially L/Z, was associated with lower risk for AMD. Risk of AMD is higher with increasing age and was prevalent among subjects with diabetes. Cessation of smoking and alcohol may reduce the risk of AMD in this population.