Lutein could have a positive effect on visual function and retinal damage, study finds

Published: 29-Jul-2014

Omniactive Health Technologies reveals research into role of Lutemax 2020 and lutein in diabetes models


A macular carotenoid formulation consisting of premium lutein and zeaxanthin isomers (Lutemax 2020) can suppress oxidative stress in tissue, according to a recent study examining lutein’s role on visual function and carbohydrate metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Lutemax 2020 from OmniActive Health Technologies can also prevent free radicals from combining with retinal collagen and strengthens retinal collagen, significantly preventing reduction of retinal thickness, a study conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderabad, India, has found.

‘Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness for diabetes mellitus sufferers and its worldwide prevalence is rapidly increasing as a consequence of a rise in obesity, changing patterns of diet and physical activity, and an ageing population,’ said Jayant Deshpande, Chief Technical Officer, OmniActive Health Technologies.

‘The results of this study revealed that lutein and zeaxanthin isomers have great potential for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, which can occur in both individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.’

For this study, diabetes mellitus was induced in overnight-fasted animals by a single intra-peritoneal injection of STZ. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured 72 hours after the STZ injection. Animals having blood glucose levels higher than 150mg/dl were considered diabetic rats.

The results of this study revealed that lutein and zeaxanthin isomers have great potential for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy

Twenty-nine male Wistar strain rats were divided into four groups: Group I was the control group and received a standard diet; Group II was the diabetes mellitus group; Group III was the diabetes mellitus group plus regular lutein (RL, lutein 0.5%); while Group IV was the diabetes mellitus group plus soluble lutein (as Lutemax 2020 at 0.5%). All rats were housed in individual cages and maintained their respective diets for 12 weeks.

Daily food intake and weekly body weights, fasting glucose and HbA1c levels were noted. ERG was performed. Lutein treatment minimised deterioration of b-wave/a-wave ratio and improved oscillatory potential (OP) in Groups III and IV. Group IV showed a significant difference in sum of OP compared with Group II. These findings suggest lutein’s positive role in the eye health of individuals with diabetes mellitus, the company says.

Oxidative damage and growth factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of retinopathy in diabetes. Lutein significantly inhibits diabetes-induced retinal oxidative damage and elevation in VEGF and PDGF, and inhibits abnormalities associated with diabetic retinopathy, the study found.

‘These findings further support the important antioxidant functions and roles that lutein and zeaxanthin isomers play in maintaining healthy vision,’ says OmniActive Health Technologies.

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