Genetic factors involved in modulating lutein bioavailability

Abstract

Lutein exhibits effective antioxidant activity conferring protective action against oxidative stress in age-related macular degeneration and cognitive decline. The inability to synthesize these compounds by the human body and the necessity to combat day-to-day oxidative stress prioritizes daily consumption of lutein. However, the bioavailability of the orally consumed lutein largely depends on its gastrointestinal absorption and subsequent metabolism which is in turn governed by various intrinsic and extrinsic factors. One of the most important yet least studied factors is the genetic make-up of an individual. The proteins that partake in the absorption, transportation, metabolism and excretion of lutein are encoded by the genes that experience inter-individual variability. Reports suggest that the unanimous effect of phenotypes resulting from such inter-individual variability in the genes of interest causes modulation of lutein bioavailability which is discussed in detail in this review article. However, despite the available reports, a community-based approach to a larger population is required to obtain a stronger understanding of the relationship between inter-individual variability among these genes and lutein bioavailability. Such an understanding of nutrigenetics could not only pave a way to decipher mechanisms that modulate lutein bioavailability but also help in setting the dosage requirements of each patient.