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Body weight (a) of each infant monkey and daily formula intake consumed by infant monkeys (b) for 16 weeks. Each symbol represents one animal; solid symbol and solid line denote supplemented formula (Sup) while the open symbol and dotted line denote unsupplemented formula (Unsup).
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Lutein is the predominant carotenoid in the developing primate brain and retina, and may have important functional roles. However, its bioaccumulation pattern during early development is not understood. In this pilot study, we investigated whether carotenoid supplementation of infant formula enhanced lutein tissue deposition in infant rhesus macaqu...
Citations
... Lutein was reported to be the most abundant carotenoid in infant spleen, which plays a crucial role in its immunity (Hayward 1983;Jeon et al. 2018;Becerra et al. 2020). Jeon et al. (2017) studied lutein deposition in infant rhesus macaques fed with either a supplemented formula with lutein, zeaxanthin, β-carotene and lycopene or a control formula. They found that in infant rhesus macaques, spleen exhibited a high concentration of lutein, which was further enhanced by supplemented formula. ...
... According to the National Immunization Survey 2020-2021, only 24.9% of American infants were breastfed exclusively at 6 months and 19.2% of breastfed infants received formula within the first 2 days of life (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2021). Infants who are not exclusively breast-fed may not be able to obtain enough lutein before solid foods are introduced, since lutein is not added in most infant formula (Bresson et al. 2008; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2022; Eidelman et al. 2012;Jeon et al. 2017;Kon et al. 2014). Chan et al. (2013) compared the serum lutein concentration in preterm infants who were fed with breastmilk and with formula, respectively, noting a lower serum and skin carotenoid concentration in preterm infants fed with formula (p < 0.05). ...
... The effects of providing lutein or carotenoids supplementation to infants on their lutein status and/or health outcomes were explored in several studies (Table 2). Jeon et al. (2017) measured the lutein concentration in the brain of 1-3 months old rhesus monkeys (n = 2/groups) fed with carotenoid fortified formula with 248 nmol/L of lutein daily for 4 months and showed that lutein concentration in the serum, liver, peripheral retina, lung, kidney, heart, quadriceps, and spleen increased by 15-, 8.5-, 2.5-, 1.7-, 1.9, 1.7-, 1.6-, 3.3-fold in the supplemented group compared to the non-supplemented group. The supplemented group also showed 3-, 3-, and 6-fold higher lutein concentration in the occipital cortex, hippocampus, and striatum, respectively, which are brain areas responsible for motor and cognitive functions (Leisman, Braun-Benjamin, and Melillo 2014). ...
Macular carotenoids, which consist of lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin, are dietary antioxidants and macular pigments in the eyes, protecting the macula from light-induced oxidative stress. Lutein is also the main carotenoid in the infant brain and is involved in cognitive development. While a few articles reviewed the role of lutein in early health and development, the current review is the first that focuses on the outcomes of lutein supplementation, either provided to mothers or to infants. Additionally, lutein status and metabolism during pregnancy and lactation, factors that limit the potential application of lutein as a nutritional intervention, and solutions to overcome the limitation are also discussed. In brief, the lutein intake in pregnant and lactating women in the United States may not be optimal. Furthermore, preterm and formula-fed infants are known to have compromised lutein status compared to term and breast-fed infants, respectively. While lutein supplementation via both maternal and infant consumption improves lutein status in infants, the application of lutein as a nutritional intervention may be compromised by its low bioavailability. Various encapsulation techniques have been developed to enhance the delivery of lutein in adult animals or human but should be further evaluated in neonatal models.
... Infants have a significantly higher concentration of lutein in the eye than adults due to the lack of enzymes that convert lutein into other isomers [5]. Meanwhile, emerging evidence demonstrated lutein to be the most predominant carotenoid in the infant brain, accounting for 60% of the total carotenoids there, although only 12% of dietary carotenoids are lutein, indicating a preference for lutein in the infant brain [6]. A variety of evidence showed that the lutein concentration in the brain was positively correlated with concentrations of several neurotransmitters involved in neuron proliferation and maturation, neurite growth, and synaptic formation in human infants [7,8]. ...
Lutein, the most abundant carotenoid in the infant eye and brain, is critical for their visual and cognitive development. Due to its lipophilic nature, a high adiposity may affect the tissue distribution of lutein. The aim of the study was to determine the impacts of a maternal high-fat diet (HFD) consumption on the status of lutein in the neonatal offspring. Female Sprague Dawley rats (n = 6) were fed a normal fat diet (NFD) or a HFD for 8 weeks before mating, and they were switched to an NFD or an HFD containing the same concentration of lutein ester during gestation and lactation. Rat pups (n = 7/group/time) were euthanized on postnatal day 2 (P2), P6, P11, and P20 for measuring tissue lutein concentrations. No significant difference in maternal lutein intake was found between the two groups. At both P6 and P11, a significantly lower lutein concentration was noted in the milk samples separated from the stomach of HFD pups than the concentration in the samples from the NFD pups; the HFD group showed a significantly lower lutein concentration in the liver. At P11, the HFD pups exhibited a significantly lower lutein concentration in the eye, brain, and brown adipose tissue accompanied with a significantly higher lutein concentration and mass in the visceral white adipose tissue. The study was the first to provide evidence that maternal HFD consumption resulted in a compromised availability and altered distribution of lutein in the neonatal offspring.
... Cytotoxic activity [37][38][39] Protection against colorectal cancer in adult patients [39] Specific cytotoxic effect against breast cancer cell lines [40,41] Anti-inflammatory: cardiovascular health [42,43] Anti-inflammatory: effective against Osteoarthritis [44] Anti-inflammatory: effective against Osteoporosis [45] Anti-oxidant activity: Protection of skin against UV rays [46,47] Beneficial activity in infant brain development [48][49][50] [22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. ...
Lutein is a xanthophyll carotenoid with remarkable applications in the healthcare sector due to its ocular-protective, anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Currently, marigold flower petals are the only commercial source for lutein extraction, since chemical synthesis suffers from very low yields. Microalgae cultivation is a promising way for lutein production, as the lutein content of microbial biomass is higher compared to that of marigold petals. In addition, microalgae are shown to have a higher growth rate, higher photosynthetic efficiency, and carbon mitigation potential when compared to terrestrial plants, such as marigolds. For the realization of microalgae as a sustainable and alternative lutein source, crucial factors such as the microalgal strains, critical cultivation parameters (light intensity, nutritional status, metabolic mode), pretreatment, extraction, and purification of lutein from microalgal biomass need to be studied in great detail. In this context, this review summarized the recent research progress in lutein production from microalgae, including competent microalgal strains, cultivation systems, and subsequent biomass treatment technologies. The choice of a high yielding strain, along with effective photobioreactor design will enable maximal lutein production from microalgae in an economically viable manner. This review presents comprehensive information on microalgal cultivation and pretreatment which will enable researchers to design an optimal microalgae-based lutein production system.
... Emerging data from research in non-human primates indicates that lutein supplementation lead to increased deposition of this carotenoid in the developing eye and brain tissues [117,118] and mother-infant human observational studies suggest a role of lutein in visual and cognitive function [80,81]. ...
... Additional studies conducted in infant monkeys breast fed or fed a formula containing high or low amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin indicate that the bioaccumulation of lutein and zeaxanthin in the retina is higher when provided in breast milk [117,118]. Table 2. Key finding from studies conducted in non-human primate raised on a diet devoted of xanthophylls (xanthophyllfree animals) supplemented with lutein and zeaxanthin. ...
... This observations reinforce the importance of ensuring an adequate maternal lutein intake. In infant monkeys fed with the lutein-enriched formula brain lutein levels were significantly higher than unsupplemented animals [117,118]. ...
Lutein is a dietary carotenoid preferentially accumulated in the eye and the brain in early life and throughout the life span. Lutein accumulation in areas of high metabolism and oxidative stress such as the eye and the brain suggest a unique role of this ingredient during the development and maturation of these organs of common embryological origin. Lutein is naturally provided to the developing baby via the cord blood, breast milk and then infant diet. The presence of this carotenoid depends on fruit and vegetable intakes and its bioavailability is higher in breastmilk. This paper aims to review the anatomical development of the eye and the brain, explore the presence and selective deposition of lutein in these organs during pregnancy and infancy and, based on its functional characteristics, present the latest available research on the beneficial role of lutein in the pediatric population. The potential effects of lutein in ameliorating conditions associated with increase oxidative stress such as in prematurity will be also addressed. Since consumption of lutein rich foods falls short of government guidelines and in most region of the world infant formulas lack this bioactive, dietary recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding women and their child can help to bridge the gap.
... Diets were powdered to incorporate 10% lyophilized tomato paste (Port Royal Premium California Fancy Tomato Paste, Woodbury, NY, USA) and adjusted to ensure consistent macronutrient distribution within each diet type (CON or OB, Supplementary Table S1). Samples from each prepared batch of diet stored at -20ºC until analyzed for carotenoid content via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using previously described methods [36][37][38] . Analyzed carotenoids included all-trans lycopene, total cis isomers of lycopene, phytoene, phytofluene, α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. ...
Prostate cancer (PCa) remains the second most diagnosed cancer worldwide. Higher body weight is associated with chronic inflammation, increased angiogenesis, and treatment-resistant tumor phenotypes. Dietary tomato reduces PCa risk, which may be due to tomato inhibition of angiogenesis and disruption of androgen signaling. This pilot study investigated the interplay between tomato powder (TP), incorporated into control (CON) and obesogenic (OB) diets, and PCa tumor growth and blood perfusion over time in a transgenic model of PCa (TRAMP). Ultrasound microvessel imaging (UMI) results showed good agreement with gold-standard immunohistochemistry quantification of endothelial cell density, indicating that this technique can be applied to non-invasively monitor tumor blood perfusion in vivo. Greater body weight was positively associated with tumor growth. We also found that TP significantly inhibited prostate tumor angiogenesis but that this inhibition differentially affected measured outcomes depending on CON or OB diets. TP led to reduced tumor growth, intratumoral inflammation, and intratumoral androgen-regulated gene expression (srd5a1, srd5a2) when incorporated with the CON diet but greater tumor growth and intratumoral gene expression when incorporated with the OB diet. Results from this study show that protective benefits from dietary tomato are lost, or may become deleterious, when combined with a Western-style diet.
... Lutein contributes to the myelination in the white matter which primarily continues to grow during the first 2 years of life [53]. Lutein also helps development of visual cortex in humans [54,55]. Determination of carotenoids from brain tissue which was extracted from hippocampus, prefrontal, frontal, auitory and occipital cortices of deceased infants suggested that several carotenoids have been found, i.e. lutein (range 0-181.7 pmol/g), zeaxanthin (range 0-33.94 ...
Society’s latest lifestyle has developed to a more rapid mobilization and advanced technology which makes people’s daily needs of nutrients have altered as well. This phenomenon comes to consequences where healthy diet has been neglected and people consume food only to fulfill the calories—which can be supplied by consumption of macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. To reach good health status, intake of micronutrients is also important to maintain biological process occurred inside human’s body as the deficiency of them may interfere the continuity of metabolic regulation of the body. Carotenoids have been known as pigments that are synthesized only in plants. The roles of carotenoids for the improvement of health have been investigated by numerous research reports, and they are highlighted in this review paper, especially their role for pregnancy and also, growth and development of infants and children. Readers will be able to read recommendation of carotenoid sources and their carotenoid composition that can be consumed periodically. Furthermore, several techniques on processing technology were also elaborated to improve people’s knowledge to preserve carotenoids in the ingredients.
... Diets were powdered to incorporate 10% lyophilized tomato paste (Port Royal Premium California Fancy Tomato Paste, Woodbury, NY, USA) and adjusted to ensure consistent macronutrient distribution within each diet type (CON or OB, Supplementary Table S1). Samples from each prepared batch of diet stored at -20ºC until analyzed for carotenoid content via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using previously described methods [36][37][38] . Analyzed carotenoids included all-trans lycopene, total cis isomers of lycopene, phytoene, phytofluene, α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. ...
Objectives
The objective of this study was to investigate the interplay between tomato powder (TP), incorporated into control (CON) and obesogenic (OB) diets, and PCa tumor growth and blood perfusion over time in a transgenic model of PCa. We hypothesized that TP would be protective against PCa growth.
Methods
Diets (either CON [17.2% kcal from fat] or OB [44.6% kcal from fat] both with and without 10% TP) were fed to transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) mice (n = 5/dietary group) from weaning. Tumor growth was monitored by weekly ultrasound scanning, at which time novel ultrasound microvessel images (UMI) were captured to quantitatively measure tumor blood perfusion over time. Animals were euthanized after 5 weeks of tumor growth, and tissues were collected for measurement of protein (HIF-1α, TNFα) and gene (ar, srd5a1, srd5a2) expression. Data were analyzed to determine differences between CON diets (without TP + with 10% TP) and OB diets (without TP + with 10% TP) and to evaluate the impact of 10% TP on outcome measures both independent of TP (No TP vs. TP) as well as within CON and OB diets (interaction effect of diet*TP) by mixed model ANCOVA with body weight as a covariate.
Results
UMI results showed good agreement with gold-standard immunohistochemistry quantification of endothelial cell density, indicating that this technique can be applied to non-invasively and longitudinally monitor tumor blood perfusion in vivo. Greater body weight (P = 0.029) and OB diets (P = 0.008) were associated with earlier age at tumor detection, and greater body weight was positively associated with tumor growth (P = 0.001). TP significantly inhibited prostate tumor angiogenesis (P = 0.043), but this inhibition differentially affected measured outcomes depending on CON or OB diets. TP led to reduced tumor growth (P = 0.004), intratumoral inflammation (TNFα; P = 0.019), and intratumoral androgen-regulated gene expression (srd5a1, srd5a2; P = 0.030 and P = 0.016, respectively) when incorporated with the CON diet but greater tumor growth and intratumoral gene expression when incorporated with the OB diet.
Conclusions
Results from this study show that protective benefits from dietary tomato are lost, or may become deleterious, when combined with a Western-style diet.
Funding Sources
CA was supported by the NIH NIBIB. MRL and PS were partially supported by NIH NCI.
... In addition, formulations supplemented with lutein enrich its level in tissues, including the retina and cortex, relative to infants who consume it to a lesser extent. Higher lutein intakes can be justified for promoting brain growth and cognition, and advice for breastfeeding mothers may be needed to maintain suitable breast milk lutein content (Jeon et al., 2017). ...
Carotenoids in food substances are believed to have health benefits by lowering the risk of diseases. Lutein, a carotenoid compound, is one of the essential nutrients available in green leafy vegetables (kale, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, and peas), along with other foods, such as eggs. As nutrition plays a pivotal role in maintaining human health, lutein, as a nutritional substance, confers promising benefits against numerous health issues, including neurological disorders, eye diseases, skin irritation, etc. This review describes the in-depth health beneficial effects of lutein. As yet, a minimal amount of literature has been undertaken to consider all its promising bioactivities. The step-by-step biosynthesis of lutein has also been taken into account in this review. Besides, this review demonstrates the drug interactions of lutein with β-carotene, as well as safety concerns and dosage. The potential benefits of lutein have been assessed against neurological disorders, eye diseases, cardiac complications, microbial infections, skin irritation, bone decay, etc. Additionally, recent studies ascertained the significance of lutein nanoformulations in the amelioration of eye disorders, which are also considered in this review. Moreover, a possible approach for the use of lutein in bioactive functional foods will be discussed.
... Lutein is an important carotenoid that ensures the correct development of the visual cortex not only in adults but also in children during their firstyear of life. Research has shown that feeding an infant with infant formula containing lutein ensures its deposition in the visual cortex, hippocampus, and striatum similarly with breastfed infants[36,37]. The brain of a newborn is still immature, as the myelination of the white matter continues up to 2 years of age. During this process, the concentration of fats in the brain increases, and the concentration of water decreases. ...
... Lutein deficits can slow down myelination and potentially halt the process of learning[38]. Scientists have shown that feeding an infant with an infant formula that contains lutein increases lutein concentration in the brain significantly compared to children fed with infant formula that does not contain lutein[37]. Moreover, lutein facilitates the exchange of information between nerve cells and increases the speed with which the neuronal signal is transferred. ...
Today, hundreds of millions of children under the age of 5 fall short of their development potential. Advances in neuroscience have confirmed that adult health and well-being are based on the developmental conditions and opportunities they had in early childhood, from conception to 24 months (first 1000 days) and then to the age of 5 (second 1000 days). Young children, who eat a healthy balanced diet, who are treated with care and attention, and who have more opportunities to learn, have a better chance to thrive. Data from a survey of adopted children, as well as experimental and quasi-experimental studies, showed that prevention of stunting is most effective during the first 1000 days and developmental delays in both the first and second 1000 days. External factors affect cognitive development significantly less after this period, and the older a person becomes, the less effective educational programs are, and the longer it takes to learn a new skill. In this regard, it is necessary to identify the degree of influence of nutrient components, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids and lutein, on the cognitive development of the child in the first year of life, as it determines the intellectual potential of the person throughout life. The goal of this review is to review the existing literature to find out how certain food components (polyunsaturated fatty acids and lutein) affect infant and toddler brain development.Keywords: omega-3, omega-6, polyunsaturated fatty acids, lutein, cognitive development
... Among the diverse group of carotenoids, lutein is manifested as a vital macula and serum carotenoid, which exhibits promising influence in embryonic development and disease prevention [25,26]. Ascertaining its accumulation in adipose tissue, a previous study has reported that lutein possesses anti-obese potential in vivo [27]; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remained unexplored. On the other hand, results from an earlier study portrayed that lutein metabolite, 3′-hydroxy-ε,ε-caroten-3-one but not lutein affects adipocyte maturation [28]. ...
A comprehensive molecular mechanistic role of lutein on adipogenesis is not well understood. The present study focused to evaluate the effect of lutein at the early and late phase of adipocyte differentiation in vitro using a 3T3-L1 cell model. The effect of purified carotenoid on the viability of normal and differentiated 3T3-L1 cells was analyzed by WST-1 assay. Oil Red O and Nile red staining were employed to observe lipid droplets in mature adipocytes. The effect of lutein on gene and protein expression of major transcription factors and adipogenic markers was analyzed by RT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. The role of lutein on mitotic clonal expansion was analyzed by flow cytometry. The results showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the accumulation of lipid droplets in lutein-treated (5 μM) cells. Inhibition in lipid accumulation was associated with down-regulated expression of CEBP-α and PPAR-γ at gene and protein levels. Subsequently, lutein repressed gene expression of FAS, FABP4, and SCD1 in mature adipocytes. Interestingly, it blocks the protein expression of CEBP-α and PPAR-γ in the initial stages of adipocyte differentiation. This early-stage inhibition of adipocyte differentiation is linked with repressed phosphorylation AKT and ERK. Further, upregulated cyclin D and down-regulated CDK4 and CDK2 in lutein treated adipocytes enumerate its role in delaying the cell cycle progression at the G0/G1 phase. Our results emphasize that adipogenesis inhibitory efficacy of lutein is potentiated by halting early phase regulators of adipocyte differentiation, which strengthens the competency of lutein besides its inevitable presence in the human body.
