Cited by 779Retinal Diseases and TreatmentsAntioxidant Activity and Oxidative StressRetinal Development and Disorders

B IOLOGIC M ECHANISMS OF THE P ROTECTIVE R OLE OF L UTEIN AND Z EAXANTHIN IN THE E YE

Krinsky, Norman I., Landrum, John T., Bone, Richard A.·2003·Annual Review of Nutrition

Abstract

▪ Abstract The macular region of the primate retina is yellow in color due to the presence of the macular pigment, composed of two dietary xanthophylls, lutein and zeaxanthin, and another xanthophyll, meso-zeaxanthin. The latter is presumably formed from either lutein or zeaxanthin in the retina. By absorbing blue-light, the macular pigment protects the underlying photoreceptor cell layer from light damage, possibly initiated by the formation of reactive oxygen species during a photosensitized reaction. There is ample epidemiological evidence that the amount of macular pigment is inversely associated with the incidence of age-related macular degeneration, an irreversible process that is the major cause of blindness in the elderly. The macular pigment can be increased in primates by either increasing the intake of foods that are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, such as dark-green leafy vegetables, or by supplementation with lutein or zeaxanthin. Although increasing the intake of lutein or zeaxanthin might prove to be protective against the development of age-related macular degeneration, a causative relationship has yet to be experimentally demonstrated.

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Crossref · 10.1146/annurev.nutr.23.011702.073307

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  • Lutein and zeaxanthin might affect processes modulating light and oxidant exposure; both compounds reflect short-wavelength light, and reduced exposure to these wavelengths might reduce photochemical and oxidant damage to cellular lipids, proteins, and nuclear material.

    “Lutein and zeaxanthin might affect processes modulating light and oxidant exposure:104 both compounds reflect short-wavelength light, and reduced exposure to these wavelengths might reduce both photochemical and oxidant damage to cellular lipids, proteins, and nuclear material.”

    From Age-related macular degeneration (2008) · cites this paper as [104]

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Authors
Krinsky, N. I., Landrum, J. T., & Bone, R. A.
Affiliations
Tufts University (US)
Venue
Annual Review of Nutrition
Published
2003-07
Volume
23
Issue
1
Pages
171-201
ISSN
  • 0199-9885 (ISSN-L)
  • 1545-4312
OpenAlex
W2168102018
Cited by
779
References
169
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 34 · 2021: 45 · 2020: 37 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 41 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 43 · 2015: 48 · 2014: 46 · 2013: 34 · 2012: 49
FWCI
5.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Annual Review of Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Ophthalmology › Retinal Diseases and Treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Retinal Development and Disorders
Keywords
lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin, macular pigment, macula, age-related macular degeneration, photoprotection, reactive oxygen species, photoreceptors, lutein supplementation, leafy vegetables, blue light absorption
MeSH terms
Age Factors, Aging, Antioxidants, Cataract, Humans, Macula Lutea, Macular Degeneration, Retina, Retinal Pigments, Risk Factors, Lutein, beta Carotene, Xanthophylls, Zeaxanthins

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