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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Protective role of xanthophylls

N Acar

subject

Luteingenetic structuresHealth benefitsBiology03 medical and health scienceschemistry.chemical_compound0302 clinical medicinemedicineCarotenoidComputingMilieux_MISCELLANEOUSBlue lightchemistry.chemical_classificationRetinafood and beveragesRetinalGeneral Medicineeye diseases3. Good healthZeaxanthinOphthalmology[SDV.AEN] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Food and Nutritionmedicine.anatomical_structurechemistryBiochemistryXanthophyll030221 ophthalmology & optometrysense organs[SDV.AEN]Life Sciences [q-bio]/Food and Nutrition030217 neurology & neurosurgery

description

Xanthophylls, also known as carotenoids are a group of natural fat-soluble pigments that are especially abundant in green and yellow-orange fruits and vegetables. Based on epidemiologic data, it is now evident that carotenoids provide health benefits and particularly in eye diseases. Molecular characterization of retinal carotenoids has shown that there were actually two xanthophylls that are concentrated in macular region, namely lutein and zeaxanthin. Thanks to a strategic position within inner retinal layers, lutein and zeaxanthin are suspected to act as antioxidants in the retina in order to limit oxidative stress that results from metabolism of light. In addition, they are also supposed to absorb blue light that enters the eye prior to its reaching the delicate functional structures including the photoreceptors and the retinal pigment epithelial cells. The aim of this paper is to summarize the knowledge about the biological mechanisms of the protective role of macular xanthophylls.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2010-10-02
https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-02817925