A study of cartenoids uptake in human subjects and their metabolites

• Main Author: Chen, Yin
• Format: Others
• Published: FIU Digital Commons 1999
• Subjects: Chemistry
• Online Access: http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2148; http://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3402&context=etd

In this study, a metabolite of lutein was tentatively shown to result from oxidation of lutein by performing a reduction reaction. The result is important evidence that supports the hypothesis that lutein functions as an antioxidant in the human body. In a long term of dietary supplementary study of zeaxanthin in a human subject, the expected increase in the serum concentration of the supplement was accompanied by an increase in serum concentration of several metabolites. A six-month low dose dietary supplementation with lutein in 2 2 human subjects was performed with an expected result in increase of the serum concentration lutein and macular pigment optical densities. The mean increase of serum lutein concentration and macular pigment optical density in all subjects are 128% and 4.5%, respectively. The abundance of zeaxanthin stereoisomers in 18 of the subject’s serum was also measured. We noted a significant difference in zeaxanthin stereoisomer composition between the serum and the retina. The all-trans-RR-zaexanthin was the predominate form presented in human serum. This result is in agreement with previously published work.