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Health News Archive 373 - Heart
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Lutein Lowers Inflammatory Markers and Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease patients have low levels of the antioxidant carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin and could benefit from supplementation, researchers reported in August 2006.

Researchers obtained blood samples from 89 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) due to either Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), a condition characterized by decreased blood flow in heart or Stable Angina (SA), a condition also characterized by decreased blood flow but that elicits chest pain with physical exertion and compared them to 50 healthy controls. They measured levels of carotenoids that include lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lycopene.

Researchers found that inflammatory proteins, including C-Reactive Protein and IL-6, were “significantly higher” in the acute coronary syndrome patients compared to controls, while both the ACS and SA groups “had significantly increased proportions” of white blood cells called CD4+ cells. Concerning carotenoids, both the ACS and SA patients had “significantly lower levels” of lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin compared to controls, while levels of beta-carotene were lower in the SA patients than controls. Finally, levels of lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin were “significantly correlated” to coronary artery disease.

Lower levels of the oxygenated carotenoids also occurred in smokers and subjects with higher BMI and lower HDL-cholesterol levels. However, when the researchers accounted for these other factors, there was still a significant link between lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin levels and artery health.

The scientists suggested that measuring the levels of these carotenoids in plasma may identify individuals who might especially benefit from antioxidant supplementation.

The researchers stated “our main finding was the significantly lower plasma concentrations of carotenoids in patients with coronary artery disease” and that their role in coronary artery disease may lie in helping strengthen the immune system. 

The study also found that lutein and zeaxanthin levels were linked to levels of natural killer cells (NK cells), which are important in immune response and are especially sensitive to oxidative stress. This finding indicates there is a link between certain carotenoids, oxidative stress and immune disturbance in CAD.

Source: Lidebjer C. Low plasma levels of oxygenated carotenoids in patients with coronary artery disease. Nutr Metab Cardio Dis 2006 Aug. In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 30 June 2006