zeaxanthin and Cardiovascular-Diseases

Cardiovascular disease related to atherosclerosis represents nowadays the largest cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Due to inflammatory nature of atherosclerosis, several studies had been conducted in order to search for substances with anti-inflammatory activity on arterial walls, able to exert beneficial roles on health. Researches investigated the role of dietary carotenoids supplementation on cardiovascular disease, due to their free radicals scavenger properties and their skills in improving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol resistance to oxidation. Nevertheless, literature data are conflicting: although some studies found a positive relationship between carotenoids supplementation and cardiovascular risk reduction, others did not find any positive effects or even prooxidant actions. This paper aimed at defining the role of carotenoids supplementation on cardiovascular risk profile by reviewing literature data, paying attention to those carotenoids more present in our diet (β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and astaxanthin).

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antioxidants; Atherosclerosis; beta Carotene; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotenoids; Cholesterol, LDL; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cryptoxanthins; Diet; Free Radical Scavengers; Humans; Lutein; Lycopene; Oxygen; Risk; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

Carotenoids are naturally occurring organic pigments that are believed to have therapeutic benefit in treating cardiovascular disease (CVD) because of their antioxidant properties. However, prospective randomized trials have failed to demonstrate a consistent benefit for the carotenoid beta-carotene in patients at risk for CVD. The basis for this apparent paradox is not well understood but may be attributed to the distinct antioxidant properties of various carotenoids resulting from their structure-dependent physicochemical interactions with biologic membranes. To test this hypothesis, we measured the effects of astaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, beta-carotene, and lycopene on lipid peroxidation using model membranes enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids. The correlative effects of these compounds on membrane structure were determined using small-angle x-ray diffraction approaches. The nonpolar carotenoids, lycopene and beta-carotene, disordered the membrane bilayer and stimulated membrane lipid peroxidation (>85% increase in lipid hydroperoxide levels), whereas astaxanthin (a polar carotenoid) preserved membrane structure and exhibited significant antioxidant activity (>40% decrease in lipid hydroperoxide levels). These results suggest that the antioxidant potential of carotenoids is dependent on their distinct membrane lipid interactions. This relation of structure and function may explain the differences in biologic activity reported for various carotenoids, with important therapeutic implications.

Topics: beta Carotene; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotenoids; Endothelium, Vascular; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Lutein; Lycopene; Oxidative Stress; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

Based on extensive epidemiological observation, fruits and vegetables that are a rich source of carotenoids are thought to provide health benefits by decreasing the risk of various diseases, particularly certain cancers and eye diseases. The carotenoids that have been most studied in this regard are beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. In part, the beneficial effects of carotenoids are thought to be due to their role as antioxidants. beta-Carotene may have added benefits due its ability to be converted to vitamin A. Additionally, lutein and zeaxanthin may be protective in eye disease because they absorb damaging blue light that enters the eye. Food sources of these compounds include a variety of fruits and vegetables, although the primary sources of lycopene are tomato and tomato products. Additionally, egg yolk is a highly bioavailable source of lutein and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids are available in supplement form. However, intervention trials with large doses of beta-carotene found an adverse effect on the incidence of lung cancer in smokers and workers exposed to asbestos. Until the efficacy and safety of taking supplements containing these nutrients can be determined, current dietary recommendations of diets high in fruits and vegetables are advised.

Topics: Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotenoids; Diet; Eye Diseases; Free Radicals; Fruit; Humans; Lutein; Lycopene; Neoplasms; Vegetables; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

Lutein is one of the most widely found carotenoids distributed in fruits and vegetables frequently consumed. Its presence in human tissues is entirely of dietary origin. Distribution of lutein among tissues is similar to other carotenoids but, along with zeaxanthin, they are found selectively at the centre of the retina, being usually referred to as macular pigments. Lutein has no provitamin A activity in man but it displays biological activities that have attracted great attention in relation to human health. Epidemiological studies have shown inconsistent associations between high intake or serum levels of lutein and lower risk for developing cardiovascular disease, several types of cancer, cataracts and age-related maculopathy. Also, lutein supplementation has provided both null and positive results on different biomarkers of oxidative stress although it is effective in increasing macular pigment concentration and in improving visual function in some, but not all, subjects with different eye pathologies. Overall, data suggest that whereas serum levels of lutein have, at present, no predictive, diagnostic or prognostic value in clinical practice, its determination may be very helpful in assessing compliance and efficacy of intervention as well as potential toxicity. In addition, available evidence suggests that a serum lutein concentration between 0.6 and 1.05 micromol/l seems to be a safe, dietary achievable and desirable target potentially associated with beneficial impact on visual function and, possibly, on the development of other chronic diseases. The use of lutein as a biomarker of exposure in clinical practice may provide some rationale for assessing its relationship with human health as well as its potential use within the context of evidence-based medicine.

Topics: beta Carotene; Biological Availability; Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cataract; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Fruit; Humans; Lutein; Macular Degeneration; Neoplasms; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Retina; Vegetables; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

Biomarkers provide potential to objectively measure the intake of nutrients and foods, and thereby to strengthen nutritional epidemiology association studies. However, there are only a few established intake biomarkers, mostly based on recovery of nutrients or their metabolites in urine. Blood concentration measures provide a potential biomarker source for many additional nutritional variables, but their use in disease-association studies requires further development.. The aim of this study was to apply recently proposed serum-based carotenoid and tocopherol intake biomarkers and to examine their association with the incidence of major cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and diabetes in a subset of Women's Health Initiative (WHI) cohorts.. Serum concentrations of α- and β-carotene, lutein plus zeaxanthin (L + Z), and α-tocopherol were routinely measured at baseline in a subset of 5488 enrollees in WHI cohorts. Intake biomarkers for these 4 micronutrients, obtained by combining serum concentrations with participant characteristics, were recently proposed using a 153-woman feeding study within WHI. These biomarker equations are augmented here to include pertinent disease risk factors and are associated with subsequent chronic disease incidence in this WHI subset.. HRs for a doubling of micronutrient intake differed only moderately from the null for the outcomes considered. However, somewhat lower risks of specific cardiovascular outcomes, breast cancer, and diabetes were associated with a higher intake of α- and β-carotene, lower risk of diabetes was associated with higher L + Z intake, and elevated risks of certain cardiovascular outcomes were associated with a higher intake of α-tocopherol. These patterns remained following the exclusion of baseline users of dietary supplements.. Concentration biomarkers can be calculated from blood specimens obtained in large epidemiologic cohorts and applied directly in disease-association analyses, without relying on self-reported dietary data. Observed associations between carotenoid and tocopherol biomarkers and chronic disease risk could be usefully evaluated further using stored serum specimens on the entire WHI cohort. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00000611.

Topics: Aged; Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotenoids; Chronic Disease; Cohort Studies; Diabetes Mellitus; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Lutein; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Nutritional Status; Risk Factors; Tocopherols; United States; Zeaxanthins

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cataract; Cataract Extraction; Disease Progression; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Female; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Lutein; Macular Degeneration; Male; Middle Aged; Propensity Score; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; United States; Zeaxanthins

Retinal vessel abnormalities are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. To date, there are no trials investigating the effect of dietary factors on the retinal microvasculature. This study examined the dose response effect of fruit and vegetable (FV) intake on retinal vessel caliber in overweight adults at high CVD risk.. Following a 4 week washout period, participants were randomized to consume either 2 or 4 or 7 portions of FV daily for 12 weeks. Retinal vessel caliber was measured at baseline and post-intervention. A total of 62 participants completed the study. Self-reported FV intake indicated good compliance with the intervention, with serum concentrations of zeaxanthin and lutein increasing significantly across the groups in a dose-dependent manner (P for trend < 0.05). There were no significant changes in body composition, 24-h ambulatory blood pressure or fasting blood lipid profiles in response to the FV intervention. Increasing age was a significant determinant of wider retinal venules (P = 0.004) whereas baseline systolic blood pressure was a significant determinant of narrower retinal arterioles (P = 0.03). Overall, there was no evidence of any short-term dose-response effect of FV intake on retinal vessel caliber (CRAE (P = 0.92) or CRVE (P = 0.42)).. This study demonstrated no effect of increasing FV intake on retinal vessel caliber in overweight adults at high risk of developing primary CVD.. NCT00874341.

Topics: Aged; Blood Pressure; Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; Body Composition; Body Mass Index; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Diet, Healthy; Female; Fruit; Humans; Life Style; Lutein; Male; Micronutrients; Microvessels; Middle Aged; Nutritional Status; Overweight; Patient Compliance; Retinal Vessels; Risk Factors; Treatment Outcome; Triglycerides; Vegetables; Waist Circumference; Zeaxanthins

To evaluate the association of statin use with progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).. Preplanned, prospective cohort study within a controlled clinical trial of oral supplementation for age-related eye diseases.. Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2) participants, aged 50 to 85 years.. Factors, including age, gender, smoking status, aspirin use, and history of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, angina, and stroke-all known to be associated with statin use-were included in a logistic regression model to estimate propensity scores for each participant. Age-adjusted proportional hazards regression models, with and without propensity score matching, were performed to evaluate the association of statin use with progression to late AMD. Analyses adjusting for the competing risk of death were also performed.. Baseline and annual stereoscopic fundus photographs were assessed centrally by masked graders for the development of late AMD, either neovascular AMD or geographic atrophy (GA).. Of the 3791 participants (2462 with bilateral large drusen and 1329 with unilateral late AMD at baseline), 1659 (43.8%) were statin users. The overall analysis, with no matching of propensity scores and no adjustment for death as a competing risk, showed that statin use was not associated with progression to late AMD (hazard ratio [HR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-1.41; P = 0.56). When matched for propensity scores and adjusted for death as a competing risk, the result was not statistically significant (HR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.55-1.20; P = 0.29). Furthermore, subgroup analyses of persons with or without late AMD at baseline and the various components of late AMD (neovascular AMD, central GA, or any GA) also showed no statistically significant association of statin use with progression to AMD.. Statin use was not statistically significantly associated with progression to late AMD in the AREDS2 participants, and these findings are consistent with findings in the majority of previous studies. Statins have been demonstrated to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, but our data do not provide evidence of a beneficial effect on slowing AMD progression.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiovascular Diseases; Dietary Supplements; Disease Progression; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Geographic Atrophy; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Incidence; Lutein; Male; Middle Aged; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Visual Acuity; Wet Macular Degeneration; Zeaxanthins

Dietary supplements have been proposed as a mechanism to improve health and prevent disease.. To determine if supplementing diet with long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or with macular xanthophylls results in a reduced rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD).. The Cardiovascular Outcome Study (COS) was an ancillary study of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2), a factorial-designed randomized clinical trial of 4203 participants recruited from 82 US academic and community ophthalmology clinics, who were followed up for a median of 4.8 years. Individuals were eligible to participate if they were between the ages of 50 and 85 years, had intermediate or advanced age-related macular degeneration in 1 eye, and were willing to be randomized. Participants with stable, existing CVD (>12 months since initial event) were eligible to participate. Participants, staff, and outcome assessors were masked to intervention.. Daily supplementation with long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (350-mg docosahexaenoic acid [DHA] + 650-mg eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA]), macular xanthophylls (10-mg lutein + 2-mg zeaxanthin), combination of the two, or matching placebos. These treatments were added to background therapy of the AREDS vitamin and mineral formulation for macular degeneration. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES A composite outcome of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular death with 4 prespecified secondary combinations of the primary outcome with hospitalized heart failure, revascularization, or unstable angina.. Study participants were primarily white, married, and highly educated, with a median age at baseline of 74 years. A total of 602 cardiovascular events were adjudicated, and 459 were found to meet 1 of the study definitions for a CVD outcome. In intention-to-treat analysis, no reduction in the risk of CVD or secondary CVD outcomes was seen for the DHA + EPA (primary outcome: hazard ratio [HR], 0.95; 95% CI, 0.78-1.17) or lutein + zeaxanthin (primary outcome: HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.77-1.15) groups. No differences in adverse events or serious adverse event were seen by treatment group. The sample size was sufficient to detect a 25% reduction in CVD events with 80% power.. Dietary supplementation of long-chain ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or macular xanthophylls in addition to daily intake of minerals and vitamins did not reduce the risk of CVD in elderly participants with age-related macular degeneration.. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00345176.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cardiovascular Diseases; Dietary Supplements; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Female; Humans; Lutein; Macular Degeneration; Male; Middle Aged; Risk; Treatment Outcome; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

Excessive consumption of energy and fat increases the risk for obesity. Snacks containing sucrose polyesters (SPE) as a dietary fat replacer are on the market in the United States. SPE products have been shown to lower concentrations of serum carotenoids in short-term studies. Experimental studies on the longer-term effects on health of decreased carotenoid concentrations are lacking. A 1-y randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial was performed. Subjects (n = 380) with a habitual low or high fruit and vegetable intake were assigned to the treatments (0, 7, 10 or 17 g/d SPE). SPE was given in the form of spreads, chips or both. The groups were compared for serum carotenoids, vitamins and markers of oxidative damage, eye health, cardiovascular health and immune status. After 1 y, serum lipid-adjusted carotenoids showed the largest decrease in the SPE chips and spread group (17 g/d) compared with the control group [alpha-carotene 33%; beta-carotene 31%, lycopene 24%, beta-cryptoxanthin 18%, lutein 18% (all P < 0.001) and zeaxanthin 13% (P < 0.05)]. Consumption of SPE spread (10 g/d SPE) decreased carotenoid concentrations by 11-29% (all P < 0.05). SPE chips (7 g/d SPE) decreased zeaxanthin (11%), beta-carotene (12%) and alpha-carotene (21%; all P < 0.05). Serum lipid adjusted alpha-tocopherol decreased significantly by 6-8% (all P < 0.001) in all SPE groups. No negative effects were observed on markers of oxidation, eye health, cardiovascular health or immune status. This study shows that decreases in serum carotenoid concentrations do not affect possible markers of disease risk.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; alpha-Tocopherol; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotenoids; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; Double-Blind Method; Endothelium, Vascular; Eye Diseases; Fatty Acids; Female; Health Status; Humans; Immunity; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipids; Macula Lutea; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Compliance; Placebos; Risk Factors; Sucrose; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Dietary Supplements; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Female; Humans; Lutein; Macular Degeneration; Male; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

Hyperlipidemia and elevated circulating C-reactive protein (CRP) and total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations are cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Previous studies indicated that higher serum carotenoid concentrations were inversely associated with some of these biomarkers. However, whether dietary carotenoid intake is inversely associated with these CVD risk biomarkers is not well known. We assessed the associations between individual dietary carotenoid intake and CVD risk biomarkers and tested whether the serum carotenoid concentrations explain (mediate) or influence the strength of (moderate) the associations, if any association exists. Dietary data collected from 2 24-h dietary recalls and serum measurements in adult men (n = 1312) and women (n = 1544) from the NHANES 2003-2006 were used. Regression models designed for survey analysis were used to examine the associations between individual dietary carotenoids and log-transformed blood cholesterol, CRP, and tHcy. The corresponding individual serum carotenoid concentration was considered as mediator (and moderator if applicable). After adjustment for covariates, significant inverse associations with LDL cholesterol were observed for dietary β-carotene (P < 0.05) and lutein + zeaxanthin (P < 0.001), and with tHcy for dietary β-carotene (P < 0.05), lycopene (P < 0.05), and total carotenoids (P < 0.05). Dietary lutein + zeaxanthin intake was also positively associated with HDL cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.01). Most of these associations were null after additional adjustment for corresponding serum carotenoid concentrations, indicating the complete mediation effects of serum carotenoids. Serum β-carotene significantly moderated the associations between dietary β-carotene and CRP (P-interaction < 0.05), and quartile 4 of dietary β-carotene was associated with lower CRP concentrations only among participants with serum β-carotene > 0.43 μmol/L. In this population-based cross-sectional study, serum carotenoids were mediators of dietary carotenoids and CVD risk biomarker associations. Serum β-carotene was also a moderator of the dietary β-carotene and CRP association. These findings may help in the design of future intervention studies on dietary carotenoids in the prevention of CVD.

Topics: Adult; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; C-Reactive Protein; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotenoids; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Female; Homocysteine; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperhomocysteinemia; Lutein; Lycopene; Male; Nutrition Surveys; Risk Factors; United States; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

To assess the characteristics of patients with wet AMD and low intake of lutein and zeaxanthin in our population.. A prospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with active wet AMD. A full blood count, a lipid and liver profile, a dietary interview (24-hour recall), and an anthropometric study were performed. Lutein-zeaxanthin (LZ) intake results split the patents in two groups.Group 1 ("sufficient" intake): patients with ≥1,400 mg/day intake in women and 1,700 mg/day in men (2/3 of the average daily intake in a normal population). Group 2: patients with daily intakes below that of group 1. A descriptive and comparative statistical study was performed.. Fifty-two patients with a mean age of 78.9 years. Group 1: eleven patients (21% of the sample). Group 2: forty-one patients. The subjects with adequate intake of LZ had higher a body mass index and waist circumference. Between 70-80% of patients in group 1 had inadequate intake of vitamin A, C and E and zinc.. Seventy-nine per cent of the patients with wet AMD have a deficient daily intake in lutein-zeaxanthin. The population with adequate intake is associated with an increased body mass index and waist circumference, and in addition, most of them have an insufficient intake of vitamin A, C, E and zinc.

Topics: Aged; Antioxidants; Cardiovascular Diseases; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Diet Records; Diet, Mediterranean; Dyslipidemias; Female; Humans; Lutein; Male; Micronutrients; Obesity; Prospective Studies; Spain; Vitamins; Wet Macular Degeneration; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins; Zinc

Individual plasma carotenoids have been associated with various chronic diseases but little is known about the relationship between total plasma carotenoids and risk factors for chronic diseases. In the Physicians' Health Study, we examined 492 men free of CVD and cancer for the relationship between total plasma carotenoids (the sum of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, lutein and beta-cryptoxanthin) and a wide variety of factors that predict chronic disease. Multivariate linear and logistic regression was performed to calculate parameter estimates (95% CI) and OR (95% CI) for total plasma carotenoids. In linear regression models, BMI, hypertension, alcohol intake and plasma levels of each lipid parameter and a-tocopherol significantly predicted levels of total plasma carotenoids. Upon adjustment for multiple chronic disease risk factors, the OR for levels of total plasma carotenoids greater than or equal to the median (> or=1.301 micromol/l) was statistically significant for current smoking (OR 0.21; 95% CI 0.06, 0.77), weekly alcohol ingestion (OR 2.30; 95% CI 1.06, 4.99), daily alcohol ingestion (OR 2.46; 95% CI 1.29, 4.67), each 100 mg/l increase in total cholesterol (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.58, 0.91), LDL-cholesterol (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.17, 1.89) and HDL-cholesterol (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.26, 1.99), each 100 mg/ml increase in intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.53, 0.93) and each 10 micromol/l increase in alpha-tocopherol (OR 1.33; 95% CI 1.12, 1.57), using logistic regression. Few lifestyle and clinical risk factors appear to be related to levels of total plasma carotenoids; however, levels of biomarkers such as plasma lipids and alpha-tocopherol may be strongly related.

Topics: Aged; Alcohol Drinking; alpha-Tocopherol; beta Carotene; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotenoids; Cholesterol; Chronic Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cryptoxanthins; Humans; Life Style; Logistic Models; Lutein; Lycopene; Male; Middle Aged; Risk; Risk Factors; Smoking; Vitamins; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

Topics: beta Carotene; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cataract; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Lutein; Macular Degeneration; Radiodermatitis; Retinitis Pigmentosa; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins