Abstract
Purpose: :
This study reports on serum response to three different macular carotenoid supplements in normal subjects and in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Methods: :
54 subjects were recruited; 27 with no ocular pathology (normals) and 27 with AMD. Subjects were randomly assigned one of three carotenoid interventions. Group 1: 20 mg L, 0.8 mg Z; Group 2: 10 mg L, 2 mg Z, 10 mg MZ; Group 3: 3 mg L, 2mg Z, 17 mg MZ. Serum was assessed at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks using high performance liquid chromatography to quantify L, Z and MZ.
Results: :
Serum L concentrations significantly increased in Group 1 (0.60 µmol/L [228%] increase; p< 0.001), and Group 2 (0.86 µmol/L [370%] increase; p< 0.001), with no significant change in Group 3 (0.02 µmol/L [6%] increase; p= 0.501). Serum Z concentrations significantly increased in Group 1 (0.03 µmol/L [63%] increase; p= 0.003) and Group 2 (0.03 µmol/L [86%] increase; p< 0.001), with no significant change in Group 3 (0.005 µmol/L [7%] decrease, p= 0.287). Serum MZ concentrations significantly increased in Group 1 (week 8: 0.0094 µmol/L; p= 0.015), Group 2 (week 8: 0.063 µmol/L; p< 0.001), and Group 3 (week 8: 0.074 µmol/L; p< 0.001).
Conclusions: :
A supplement containing L, Z, and MZ appears to result with optimal combined serum carotenoid response. Our novel finding that MZ is present in serum following supplementation with 20 mg of L, suggests that MZ may be formed in serum, or diffuse from the macula where it was originally hypothesised to be formed.
Clinical Trial: :
www.controlled-trials.com, ISRCTN81595685
Keywords: carotenoids/carotenoid binding proteins • macular pigment