meso-zeaxanthin and Cataract

The macular region of the primate retina is yellow in color due to the presence of the macular pigment, composed of two dietary xanthophylls, lutein and zeaxanthin, and another xanthophyll, meso-zeaxanthin. The latter is presumably formed from either lutein or zeaxanthin in the retina. By absorbing blue-light, the macular pigment protects the underlying photoreceptor cell layer from light damage, possibly initiated by the formation of reactive oxygen species during a photosensitized reaction. There is ample epidemiological evidence that the amount of macular pigment is inversely associated with the incidence of age-related macular degeneration, an irreversible process that is the major cause of blindness in the elderly. The macular pigment can be increased in primates by either increasing the intake of foods that are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, such as dark-green leafy vegetables, or by supplementation with lutein or zeaxanthin. Although increasing the intake of lutein or zeaxanthin might prove to be protective against the development of age-related macular degeneration, a causative relationship has yet to be experimentally demonstrated.

Topics: Age Factors; Aging; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Cataract; Humans; Lutein; Macula Lutea; Macular Degeneration; Retina; Retinal Pigments; Risk Factors; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

To measure the macular pigment optical density (MPOD) values in a healthy Chinese population using the one-wavelength reflectometry method and to investigate the relationships of MPOD with age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking and lens opacities.. A total of 441 healthy participants, aged 3-81 years old (242 male and 199 female subjects), were enrolled in this study. Demographic and lifestyle data were recorded based on physical examinations and questionnaires. Lens opacities were measured according to the Lens Opacities Classification System III (LOCS III). MPOD values were measured at 7° of eccentricity, using the one-wavelength reflectometry method (Visucam 200; Carl Zeiss Meditec). MPOD values were reported in parameters including 'max' and 'mean' optical density (OD). The original MPOD values without automated correction were used for analysis.. The average values were 0.303 ± 0.097 d.u. (initials of density units) for the max OD and 0.109 ± 0.031 d.u. for the mean OD. A significant inverse relationship was found between age and MPOD (for max OD, β = -0.716, p < 0.001; for mean OD, β = -0.669, p < 0.001). Participants with no lens opacities had higher MPOD values than those with moderate lens opacities (p < 0.001). The MPOD values were not associated with sex, BMI or smoking status.. MPOD within 7° of eccentricity, as measured by one-wavelength reflectometry, was found to decrease with increasing age in a healthy Chinese population, and lens opacities had an impact on these measurements. These results provide a reference value for future studies in the Chinese population.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Asian People; Body Mass Index; Cataract; Child; Child, Preschool; China; Cross-Sectional Studies; Densitometry; Female; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Lutein; Macular Pigment; Male; Middle Aged; Retina; Surveys and Questionnaires; Zeaxanthins