Moeller S M, Jacques P F, Blumberg J B
Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA.
J Am Coll Nutr. 2000 Oct;19(5 Suppl):522S-527S. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2000.10718975.
The carotenoid xanthophylls, lutein and zeaxanthin, accumulate in the eye lens and macular region of the retina. Lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in the macula are greater than those found in plasma and other tissues. A relationship between macular pigment optical density, a marker of lutein and zeaxanthin concentration in the macula, and lens optical density, an antecedent of cataractous changes, has been suggested. The xanthophylls may act to protect the eye from ultraviolet phototoxicity via quenching reactive oxygen species and/or other mechanisms. Some observational studies have shown that generous intakes of lutein and zeaxanthin, particularly from certain xanthophyll-rich foods like spinach, broccoli and eggs, are associated with a significant reduction in the risk for cataract (up to 20%) and for age-related macular degeneration (up to 40%). While the pathophysiology of cataract and age-related macular degeneration is complex and contains both environmental and genetic components, research studies suggest dietary factors including antioxidant vitamins and xanthophylls may contribute to a reduction in the risk of these degenerative eye diseases. Further research is necessary to confirm these observations.
类胡萝卜素叶黄素和玉米黄质在眼球晶状体和视网膜黄斑区域蓄积。黄斑区域的叶黄素和玉米黄质浓度高于血浆及其他组织中的浓度。有人提出，黄斑色素光密度（黄斑中叶黄素和玉米黄质浓度的一个指标）与晶状体光密度（白内障变化的一个先兆）之间存在关联。叶黄素可能通过淬灭活性氧和/或其他机制来保护眼睛免受紫外线光毒性。一些观察性研究表明，大量摄入叶黄素和玉米黄质，尤其是从某些富含叶黄素的食物（如菠菜、西兰花和鸡蛋）中获取，与白内障风险显著降低（高达20%）以及年龄相关性黄斑变性风险显著降低（高达40%）相关。虽然白内障和年龄相关性黄斑变性的病理生理学很复杂，包含环境和遗传因素，但研究表明，包括抗氧化维生素和叶黄素在内的饮食因素可能有助于降低这些退行性眼病的风险。需要进一步研究来证实这些观察结果。
