Plasma lutein and zeaxanthin and other carotenoids as modifiable risk factors for age-related maculopathy and cataract: the POLA Study.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To assess the associations of plasma lutein and zeaxanthin and other carotenoids with the risk of age-related maculopathy (ARM) and cataract in the population-based Pathologies Oculaires Liées à l'Age (POLA) Study.

METHODS:

Retinal photographs were graded according to the international classification. ARM was defined by the presence of late ARM (neovascular ARM, geographic atrophy) and/or soft indistinct drusen (>125 microm) and/or soft distinct drusen (>125 microm) associated with pigmentary abnormalities. Cataract classification was based on a direct standardized lens examination at the slit lamp, according to Lens Opacities Classification System III. Plasma carotenoids were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), in 899 subjects of the cohort.

RESULTS:

After multivariate adjustment, the highest quintile of plasma zeaxanthin was significantly associated with reduced risk of ARM (OR=0.07; 95% CI: 0.01-0.58; P for trend=0.005), nuclear cataract (OR=0.23; 95% CI: 0.08-0.68; P for trend=0.003) and any cataract (OR=0.53; 95% CI: 0.31-0.89; P for trend=0.01). ARM was significantly associated with combined plasma lutein and zeaxanthin (OR=0.21; 95% CI: 0.05-0.79; P for trend=0.01), and tended to be associated with plasma lutein (OR=0.31; 95% CI: 0.09-1.07; P for trend=0.04), whereas cataract showed no such associations. Among other carotenoids, only beta-carotene showed a significant negative association with nuclear cataract, but not ARM.

CONCLUSIONS:

These results are strongly suggestive of a protective role of the xanthophylls, in particular zeaxanthin, for the protection against ARM and cataract.

• Authors: Cécile Delcourt, Isabelle Carrière, Martine Delage, Pascale Barberger-Gateau, Wolfgang Schalch, POLA Study Group
• Journal: Investigative ophthalmology & visual science (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci) Vol. 47 Issue 6 Pg. 2329-35 (Jun 2006) ISSN: 0146-0404 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16723441 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Xanthophylls
• Zeaxanthins
• beta Carotene
• Lutein

Topics

• Cataract (blood, epidemiology)
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Female
• Humans
• Lutein (blood)
• Macular Degeneration (blood, epidemiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Risk Factors
• Xanthophylls (blood)
• Zeaxanthins
• beta Carotene (blood)