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Study: Lutein supplementation did not increase MPOD in CSC patients
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Lutein supplementation helped to maintain levels of macular pigment optical density in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy, according to a study recently published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.
Sawa and colleagues conducted a double-masked, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effects of lutein supplementation in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).
As detailed in the study, 19 patients received a placebo and 20 patients received 20 mg per day of lutein (Sante Lutax 20, Santen) for 4 months.
Researchers monitored plasma lutein concentration (LC 2010C; Shimadzu Corp.) and macular pigment optical density (MPOD) by utilizing autofluorescence spectrometry. All measurements were taken at baseline, 1 month and 4 months.
Results showed that the mean MPOD measurements and plasma lutein concentrations for the control and lutein groups were 0.437 and 0.444 DU and 78.2 and 91.5 ng/mL at baseline, 0.442 and 0.460 DU and 79.3 and 204.9 ng/mL at 1 month, and 0.421 and 0.441 DU and 78.4 and 228.0 ng/mL at 4 months, respectively.
"Patients with CSC had a lower plasma lutein concentration compared with healthy subjects in the current study," the authors wrote. "In this placebo-controlled lutein supplement study, the mean plasma lutein concentration increased significantly by twofold 1 month after lutein intake; unfortunately, no increase in the MPOD occurred in the lutein group.
“Interestingly, in the subanalysis among patients with low plasma lutein levels, the MPOD value in the placebo-controlled group significantly decreased from baseline at 4 months,” they continued. “However, the MPOD value in the lutein group slightly increased at 1 and 4 months from baseline but did not reach significance. Based on the subgroup analysis, in patients with CSC with a low plasma lutein concentration, lutein supplementation contributed to maintenance of MPOD that was not seen in patients with CSC receiving placebo.
"Lutein deficiency might not be recognized in patients with CSC," they concluded. "Lutein supplementation maintained the MPOD in patients with CSC with low plasma lutein levels. Further investigation is needed, and formulations containing all three macular carotenoids should be studied for response.”
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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