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Lutein decreases complement factor D in age‐related macular degeneration
Author(s) -
BERENDSCHOT T,
TIAN Y,
VAN DER VEEN R,
MAKRIDAKI M,
MURRAY I,
KIJLSTRA A
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.534
H-Index - 87
eISSN - 1755-3768
pISSN - 1755-375X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-3768.2012.3663.x
Subject(s) - lutein , macular degeneration , placebo , complement system , medicine , alternative complement pathway , pathogenesis , complement (music) , endocrinology , ophthalmology , immunology , chemistry , food science , antibody , biochemistry , pathology , carotenoid , alternative medicine , complementation , gene , phenotype
Purpose The complement system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Age‐related Macular Degeneration (AMD). In this study we examined the effect of lutein on circulating levels of Complement Factor D (CFD), a rate limiting component of the alternative pathway of complement activation. Methods Blood samples were collected from 82 early AMD patients from The Netherlands and the UK that took part in a one year multi centre, double masked, placebo controlled intervention trial with lutein supplementation. CFD was measured by ELISA. Results We found a significant 0.12 μg/ml monthly decrease in serum CFD concentration in the lutein group (p<0.001), resulting in a 61% decrease from 2.33 μg/ml at baseline to 0.91 μg/ml at 12 months. We found no change in the placebo group. Conclusion Lutein supplementation markedly decreases circulating CFD levels thereby offering a simple method to control the alternative complement pathway.