Lutein and Zeaxanthin Isomers effect on Sleep Quality

Melinda Fernyhough Culver¹, James Bowman², Vijaya Juturu*¹

Received: June 11, 2018;   Published: June 19, 2018

DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2018.05.001250

Full Text PDF

To view the Full Article   Peer-reviewed Article PDF

Abstract

Purpose: Excessive exposure to short-wavelength visible (“blue”) light may damage retinal cells and lead to macular degeneration. This study is to assess the effects of macular carotenoids [L/Zi, lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin] on visual performance, function, computer use exposure causing symptoms and sleep quality in healthy subjects.

Methods: We carried out a double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized (DBPCR) study in 48 healthy young adults (mean age = 21.2 years, males and females, non- smokers, and Body mass index (BMI) <27 kg/m2). Subjects included in the study was based on minimum at least 4 hours / day (outer side activity & screen time exposure of electronic devices). Subjects were randomly assigned to ingest daily either a placebo (PLA, Safflower oil capsule/day, n = 13), or 20 mg L/Zi (20 mg L/4 mg Zi/day, n = 35). Macular pigment optical density (MPOD), contrast sensitivity (CS), critical flicker fusion (CFF), serum lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) were assessed. Sleep quality assessed and a questionnaire was used to assess the daily use (in hours) of computers/tablet/laptops/smart phones (CDU) and physical symptoms. Statistical significance set at p<0.05.

Results and Conclusion: L/Zi supplementation significantly improved MPOD, CFF and CS [p < 0.05], serum L, Z and ratio of L/Z (p<0.0001) increased over placebo. Sleep quality improved (p<0.05), reduced eye fatigue, eyestrain and headache episodes were observed. Eye fatigue was significantly correlated with CFF and CS at baseline. No adverse events were observed among participants. Visual performance, function, sleep quality and symptoms associated with CDU improved with L/Zi supplementation in healthy subjects.

Keywords: Digital Devices; Blue Light; Photoreceptor Damage; Lutein; Zeaxanthin Isomers; Antioxidants; Oxidative Stress; Sleep Quality; Vision Health Status

Abbrevations: ISRCTN Clinical Trial Registration: ISRCTN16156382; DBPCR: Double-Blind; Placebo-Controlled Randomized; BMI: Body Mass Index; CFF: Critical Flicker Fusion; MPOD: Macular pigment optical density; CS: Contrast Sensitivity; AMD: Age-Related Macular Degeneration; RPE: Retinal Pigment Epithelium; OSDI: Ocular Surface Disease Index; ROS: Reactive Oxygen Species; LED: Light-Emitting Diode; PSQI: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; HPLC: High-Performance Liquid Chromatography; ONL: Outer Nuclear Layer; GRAS: Generally Recognized As Safe

Abstract| Introduction| Subjects and Methods| Results| Discussion| Acknowledgement| References|