A Lutein-Enriched Diet Prevents Cholesterol Accumulation and Decreases Oxidized LDL and Inflammatory Cytokines in the Aorta of Guinea Pigs

Lutein has been shown to be protective against age-related macular degeneration; however, the antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects of this carotenoid in aortas are less known. Guinea pigs were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet (0.25 g cholesterol/100 g) and randomly allocated to a control group (n...

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Published in:The Journal of nutrition 2011-08, Vol.141 (8), p.1458-1463
Main Authors: JUNG EUN KIM, LEITE, Jose O, DEOGBURN, Ryan, SMYTH, Joan A, CLARK, Richard M, LUZ FERNANDEZ, Maria
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Animals
Aorta - metabolism
Biological and medical sciences
Cholesterol - metabolism
Cytokines - metabolism
Feeding. Feeding behavior
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Guinea Pigs
Inflammation Mediators - metabolism
Lipoproteins, LDL - metabolism
Lutein - administration & dosage
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Malondialdehyde - metabolism
Particle Size
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
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Summary:Lutein has been shown to be protective against age-related macular degeneration; however, the antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects of this carotenoid in aortas are less known. Guinea pigs were fed a hypercholesterolemic diet (0.25 g cholesterol/100 g) and randomly allocated to a control group (n = 9) or a lutein group (n = 10) (0.01 g/100 g lutein) [corrected] and fed the experimental diets for 12 wk. Plasma LDL cholesterol and TG did not differ between groups; however, the lutein group had lower concentrations of medium size LDL (P < 0.05). As expected, guinea pigs from the lutein group had higher concentrations of plasma and liver lutein than those from the control group (P < 0.0001). Aortic cholesterol and malondialdehyde concentrations were lower in the lutein group (9.6 ± 2.8 mmol/g and 1.69 ± 1.35 nmol/mg protein) compared to the control group (15.5 ± 2.3 mmol/g and 2.98 ± 1.45 nmol/mg protein) (P < 0.05). Hematoxilin and eosin staining indicated that aortas from the control group presented focal intimal thickening, whereas either less thickness or no visible thickness was present in aortas from the lutein group. Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) was lower both in plasma and aorta in the lutein group compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Aortic cytokines were also lower in the lutein group (P < 0.05). Plasma lutein and oxLDL (r = -0.79; P < 0.0001) and plasma lutein and aortic oxLDL (r = -0.64; P < 0.0001) were negatively correlated. These data suggest that lutein exerts potent antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects in aortic tissue that may protect against development of atherosclerosis in guinea pigs.
ISSN:0022-3166
1541-6100
DOI:10.3945/jn.111.141630