MORRISTOWN, N.J.—Lutemax 2020, a new macular carotenoid formulation from OmniActive Health Technologies, may aid visual function and prevent retinal damage in diabetic rats, according to an unpublished study conducted by the company.

Researchers at the National Institute of Nutrition in Hyderbad, India, found that Lutemax 2020—which consists of lutein and zeanthin isomers—suppressed oxidative stress in tissue, prevented free radicals from combining with retinal collagen, and strengthened retinal collagen.

In the study, diabetes mellitus was induced in overnight-fasted rats by a single intra-peritoneal injection of STZ. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured 72 hours after the STZ injection. Animals having blood glucose levels higher than 150 mg/dl were considered diabetic rats. Twenty-nine male Wistar strain rats were divided into four groups: a control group receiving a standard diet, a diabetes mellitus group, a diabetes mellitus group plus regular lutein (RL, lutein 0.5%) and a diabetes mellitus group plus soluble lutein (as Lutemax® 2020 at 0.5%).

 All rats were housed in individual cages and maintained their respective diets for 12 weeks. Daily food intake and weekly body weights, fasting glucose and HbA1c levels were noted. ERG was performed. Lutein treatment minimized deterioration of b-wave/a-wave ratio and improved oscillatory potential in the groups receiving lutein. The group with Lutemax 2020 showed a significant difference in sum of OP compared to the mellitus group. These findings suggest lutein’s positive role in the eye health of individuals with diabetes mellitus.  

Oxidative damage and growth factors are implicated in the pathogenesis of retinopathy in diabetes. Lutein significantly inhibits diabetes-induced retinal oxidative damage and elevation in VEGF and PDGF, and inhibits abnormalities associated with diabetic retinopathy. These findings further support the important antioxidant functions and roles that lutein and zeaxanthin isomers play in maintaining healthy vision.

In mid-July, The European Food Safety Authority rejected Kermin and DSM Nutritional Product’s claim that lutein and zeaxanthin help maintain eye health.