Abstract 580: Lutein Reduces Inflammation in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease by Suppressing Cytokine and Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Secretion From Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells

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Introduction: Low plasma carotenoid levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors. Carotenoids are anti-oxidants with potential anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we measured different types of carotenoid in plasma and assessed their relationship with interleukin-6 (IL-6) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stable coronary artery disease (CAD). A sub-cohort was followed for 12 months. Moreover, we assessed the anti-inflammatory effects of lutein in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) collected from CAD patients. Methods: We included 48 ACS and 109 stable CAD patients. Circulating levels of lutein+zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, α- and β-carotene, and IL-6 were measured. Lutein and zeaxanthin are isomers and as such measured together. Lutein, however, is the major form of the isomers. PBMC were treated with lutein (1μM, 5μM and 25μM) for 24hr followed by 24hr incubation with or without LPS. Cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in cell media were measured. Results: Levels of lutein+zeaxanthin and lycopene were inversely correlated to IL-6 in the whole cohort, p <0.001 and p <0.05, respectively. In stable CAD patients, only lutein+zeaxanthin were correlated to IL-6 ( p <0.001). In the sub-cohort (n=33), changes in IL-6 were inversely correlated to changes in lutein+zeaxanthin at the 3 rd month ( p <0.01) and 12 th month ( p <0.05). Changes in IL-6 were also inversely correlated to changes in lycopene levels at 12 th month ( p <0.05). Other carotenoids did not correlate to IL-6 in plasma. In vitro , spontaneous and LPS-induced secretion of cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α) and MMP-9 from PBMC were dose-dependently and significantly reduced by lutein. Conclusions: The clinical findings indicated that lutein+zeaxanthin might play a role in resolution of inflammation in CAD patients. In vitro , we were able to confirm that lutein exerted anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing secretion of inflammatory cytokines and MMP-9 from PBMC.