Ahmed Shazia S, Lott McGregor N, Marcus Dennis M
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia 30912-3400, USA.
Surv Ophthalmol. 2005 Mar-Apr;50(2):183-93. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2004.12.009.
The macular pigments are predominantly composed of three carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin. These carotenoids are concentrated and distributed in a selective manner. The properties of these pigments are further explored along with their methods of uptake, stabilization, and storage. The dual nature of these pigments as filters and antioxidants are elaborated upon in relation to their protective effects upon the macula, specifically in age-related macular degeneration. Evidence suggests that increased levels of macular pigment are correlated with a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration. Many have sought to exploit this therapeutic relation. Studies reveal that oral supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin can increase the levels of macular pigments in the retina and plasma. The effects of such supplementation on actual ocular function have yet to be fully addressed. New and standardized methods of assessing macular pigment density are discussed and future areas of research to further our understanding of macular xanthophylls as they pertain to age-related macular degeneration are highlighted.
叶黄素、玉米黄质和内消旋玉米黄质。这些类胡萝卜素以一种选择性的方式集中和分布。随着它们的摄取、稳定和储存方法，对这些色素的特性进行了进一步探索。这些色素作为滤光器和抗氧化剂的双重性质，在它们对黄斑的保护作用方面，特别是在年龄相关性黄斑变性方面进行了阐述。有证据表明，黄斑色素水平的增加与年龄相关性黄斑变性风险的降低相关。许多人试图利用这种治疗关系。研究表明，口服叶黄素和玉米黄质可以增加视网膜和血浆中黄斑色素的水平。这种补充对实际眼功能的影响尚未得到充分解决。讨论了评估黄斑色素密度的新的标准化方法，并强调了未来进一步了解黄斑叶黄素与年龄相关性黄斑变性相关的研究领域。
