The carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are believed to protect the human macula by absorbing blue light and quenching free
radicals. Intestinal malabsorption syndromes such as celiac and Crohn’s disease are known to cause deficiencies of lipid-soluble
nutrients. We hypothesized that subjects with nutrient malabsorption syndromes will demonstrate lower carotenoid levels in
the macula and blood, and that these lower levels may correlate with early-onset maculopathy. Resonance Raman spectrographic
(RRS) measurements of macular carotenoid levels were collected from subjects with and without a history of malabsorption syndromes.
Carotenoids were extracted from serum and analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Subjects with malabsorption
(
n = 22) had 37% lower levels of macular carotenoids on average versus controls (
n = 25,
P < 0.001). Malabsorption was not associated with decreased serum carotenoid levels. Convincing signs of early maculopathy
were not observed. We conclude that intestinal malabsorption results in lower macular carotenoid levels.
Keywords Macular carotenoids - Lutein - Zeaxanthin - Xanthophylls - Malabsorption
Presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, May
2006.
Supported by NIH/NHLBI Grant 5 T35 HL07744-13 (Mr. Ward); Spectrotek, L.C., Salt Lake City, UT; National Eye Institute grant
R01-EY-11600 (Dr. Bernstein); and a departmental grant from Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc, New York, NY. None of these
funding sources were involved with the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, or interpretation
of the data; or preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript. Dr. Bernstein had full access to all the data in the study
and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis.
Financial/Proprietary Interests: Dr. Bernstein and the University of Utah hold a patent on the use of resonance Raman spectroscopy
to measure macular carotenoid pigments in the human eye.