Serum xanthophylls, retinal xanthophylls and lipoprotein concentrations found to be related

A new study which was designed to analyse the relationship between xanthophyll carotenoids lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) in the serum and the retina has found that Serum xanthophylls, retinal xanthophylls and lipoprotein concentrations are all significantly related.

Scientists conducted three experiments, all in which the lipoproteins were measured enzymatically from plasma, and MP optical density (MPOD) was measured using customized heterochromatic flicker photometry.

The first experiment tested the relations between serum L and Z, MPOD and lipoprotein levels. The findings were that HDL were significantly related to MPOD, to serum L and to serum Z. MPOD was also found to be significantly related to total cholesterol.

The second experiment tested relations between lipoprotein levels and MPOD in statin users. 20 subjects taking statin medication and 20 subjects not taking statins were recruited for participation.

MPOD and lipoprotein levels were measured and the tests found that MPOD was not lower in statin users when compared to matched non-statin users, but MPOD decreased significantly with increased duration of statin use.

The final experiment tested one individual with high MP density adhered first to an atorvastatin regimen, then, after a wash-out period, to a rosuvastatin regimen, in order to test lowering lipoprotein levels impact on MPOD. The results showed that administration of a statin regimen reduced MPOD with atorvastatin, but not with rosuvastatin.

Published by Ben Evans