Abstract
Lutein is the predominant carotenoid in the developing primate brain and retina, and may have important functional roles. However, its bioaccumulation pattern during early development is not understood. In this pilot study, we investigated whether carotenoid supplementation of infant formula enhanced lutein tissue deposition in infant rhesus macaques. Monkeys were initially breastfed; from 1 to 3 months of age they were fed either a formula supplemented with lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene and lycopene, or a control formula with low levels of these carotenoids, for 4 months (n = 2/group). All samples were analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Final serum lutein in the supplemented group was 5 times higher than in the unsupplemented group. All brain regions examined showed a selective increase in lutein deposition in the supplemented infants. Lutein differentially accumulated across brain regions, with highest amounts in occipital cortex in both groups. β-carotene accumulated, but zeaxanthin and lycopene were undetectable in any brain region. Supplemented infants had higher lutein concentrations in peripheral retina but not in macular retina. Among adipose sites, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue exhibited the highest lutein level and was 3-fold higher in the supplemented infants. The supplemented formula enhanced carotenoid deposition in several other tissues. In rhesus infants, increased intake of carotenoids from formula enhanced their deposition in serum and numerous tissues and selectively increased lutein in multiple brain regions.
Highlights
Lutein, a yellow xanthophyll pigment, cannot be endogenously synthesized
Such a role is supported by recent studies showing that lutein was selectively deposited in the brains of infant and older adults [6,7]; that lutein supplementation was associated with improved cognitive function in older female subjects [8]; and that macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was related to cognitive function in older adults [9,10,11]
Lycopene and zeaxanthin were present in the supplemented formula formula but were undetectable in the unsupplemented formula, while α‐carotene and butβ‐cryptoxanthin were undetectable in the unsupplemented formula, while α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin were were not detectable in either formula
Summary
A yellow xanthophyll pigment, cannot be endogenously synthesized. humans depend on dietary sources of this carotenoid, especially from green leafy vegetables, like kale, spinach, and broccoli [1]. Intake of lutein and zeaxanthin from dietary sources is associated with a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of irreversible blindness in adults [3]. Lutein is increasingly being implicated as having a role in cognitive function [5]. Such a role is supported by recent studies showing that lutein was selectively deposited in the brains of infant and older adults [6,7]; that lutein supplementation was associated with improved cognitive function in older female subjects [8]; and that macular pigment optical density (MPOD) was related to cognitive function in older adults [9,10,11]
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