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Study shows no effect of vitamin supplementation on macular pigment density
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Dietary supplementation of lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins does not increase macular pigment optical density (MPOD) in healthy individuals with a family history of age-related macular degeneration and may, therefore, not be effective as a strategy to prevent AMD, according to a study carried out in two French universities.
Lutein and zeaxanthin are the main components of macular pigment, which plays a fundamental role in protecting the macula from oxidative stress. Individuals with a family history of AMD were shown in previous studies to have a lower macular pigment optical density (MPOD).
The aim of the study was to evaluate whether lutein, zeaxanthin, omega-3 and vitamin supplements might increase MPOD in these individuals, thus potentially preventing the onset of AMD.
The LIMPIA (Lutein Influence on Macula of Persons Issued from AMD Parents) randomized clinical trial included 120 participants 40 to 70 years old with at least one parent with a history of neovascular AMD. They were randomized 1:1 to receive for 6 months either dietary supplements containing lutein, zeaxanthin, zinc, vitamins C and E, copper and resveratrol, or placebo, both provided by Laboratoires Théa. The extended follow-up period was up to 12 months.
All participants underwent MPOD measurements before, during and after the treatment with the modified MPD-Visucam 200 (Carl Zeiss Meditec) and with the modified Heidelberg Retina Angiograph (HRA, Heidelberg Engineering).
No significant change in MPOD was seen from baseline, although the plasma concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin had a rapid and sustained increase in the study group.
However, the authors noted that the baseline mean MPOD among LIMPIA study participants was higher as compared with other studies.
“We believe that the absence of increased MPOD could be due to the macular saturation in a young population with virtually no risk factors of AMD besides the family history,” the authors wrote. – by Michela Cimberle
Disclosure: Korobelnik reported receiving consultant fees from Alcon, Alimera, Allergan, Bayer, Horus Pharma, Novartis, Roche, Laboratoires Théa and Zeiss. Please see the study for the other authors’ financial disclosures.
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