Lutein, a potent antioxidant and the main macular pigment that protects the macula from light-initiated oxidative damage, has low bioavailability. Various nanoscale delivery systems have been developed for improving its bioavailability. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nanoscale delivery systems on improving lutein bioavailability in rodent models. Using EBSCOhost and PubMed, a total of eleven peer-reviewed articles published from 2000 to 2020 were identified. Plasma lutein concentration, pharmacokinetic parameters, including maximum concentration (C_max), area under curve (AUC), and time to reach the maximum concentration (T_max), and lutein accumulation in organs were extracted to evaluate the bioavailability of lutein using nanoscale delivery methods as compared with unencapsulated or raw lutein. Various nanoscale delivery systems, including polymer nanoparticles, emulsions, and lutein nanoparticles, significantly improved the bioavailability of lutein, as evidenced by increased plasma lutein concentrations, C_max, or AUC. Additionally, five out of seven studies observed enhanced accumulation of lutein in the liver and the eyes. Polymer nanoparticles and emulsions improve the dispersibility and stability of lutein, thus lutein might be more accessible in the small intestine. Lutein nanoparticles shortened the T_max. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of nanoscale delivery systems on improving the functionalities of lutein.

Newborns’ eyes and brains are prone to oxidative stress. Lutein has antioxidant properties and is the main component of macular pigment essential for protecting the retina, but has low bioavailability, thereby limiting its potential as a nutritional supplement. Oil-in-water emulsions have been used as lutein delivery systems. In particular, octenylsuccinated (OS) starch is a biopolymer-derived emulsifier safe to use in infant foods, while exhibiting superior emulsifying capacity. This study determined the effects of an OS starch-stabilized lutein emulsion on lutein bioavailability in Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats. In an acute study, 10-day-old pups received a single oral dose of free lutein or lutein emulsion, with subsequent blood sampling over 24 h to analyze pharmacokinetics. The lutein emulsion group had a 2.12- and 1.91-fold higher maximum serum lutein concentration and area under the curve, respectively, compared to the free lutein group. In two daily dosing studies, oral lutein was given from postnatal day 5 to 18. Blood and tissue lutein concentrations were measured. The results indicated that the daily intake of lutein emulsion led to a higher lutein concentration in circulation and key tissues compared to free lutein. The OS starch-stabilized emulsion could be an effective and safe lutein delivery system for newborns.

1. Wheat (Triticum aestivum), as one of the most vital staple crops feeding one-third of the global population, accounting for 20% of the caloric intake in human diets (Figueroa, Hammond-Kosack, an...

The circulating level of vitamin A (VA; retinol) was reported to be lower in obese adults. It is unknown if maternal obesity influences the VA status of offspring. The objective of the study was to determine the VA status and deposition of neonatal and weanling rats reared by mothers consuming a normal or high-fat diet (NFD or HFD) with or without supplemented VA. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to an NFD or HFD with 2.6 mg/kg VA. Upon delivery, half of the rat mothers in the NFD or HFD cohort were switched to an NFD or HFD with supplemented VA at 129 mg/kg (NFD+VA and HFD+VA group). The other half remained on their original diet (NFD and HFD group). At postnatal day 14 (P14), P25, and P35, pups (n = 4 or 3/group/time) were euthanized. The total retinol concentration in the serum, liver, visceral white adipose tissue (WAT), and brown adipose tissue (BAT) was measured. At P14, the HFD+VA group showed a significantly lower serum VA than the NFD+VA group. At P25, both the VA concentration and total mass in the liver, WAT, and BAT were significantly higher in the HFD+VA than the NFD+VA group. At P35, the HFD group exhibited a significantly higher VA concentration and mass in the liver and BAT compared with the NFD group. In conclusion, maternal HFD consumption resulted in more VA accumulation in storage organs in neonatal and/or weanling rats, which potentially compromised the availability of VA in circulation, especially under the VA-supplemented condition.

Lutein, the most abundant carotenoid in the infant eye and brain, is critical for their visual and cognitive development. Due to its lipophilic nature, a high adiposity may affect the tissue distribution of lutein. The aim of the study was to determine the impacts of a maternal high-fat diet (HFD) consumption on the status of lutein in the neonatal offspring. Female Sprague Dawley rats (n = 6) were fed a normal fat diet (NFD) or a HFD for 8 weeks before mating, and they were switched to an NFD or an HFD containing the same concentration of lutein ester during gestation and lactation. Rat pups (n = 7/group/time) were euthanized on postnatal day 2 (P2), P6, P11, and P20 for measuring tissue lutein concentrations. No significant difference in maternal lutein intake was found between the two groups. At both P6 and P11, a significantly lower lutein concentration was noted in the milk samples separated from the stomach of HFD pups than the concentration in the samples from the NFD pups; the HFD group showed a significantly lower lutein concentration in the liver. At P11, the HFD pups exhibited a significantly lower lutein concentration in the eye, brain, and brown adipose tissue accompanied with a significantly higher lutein concentration and mass in the visceral white adipose tissue. The study was the first to provide evidence that maternal HFD consumption resulted in a compromised availability and altered distribution of lutein in the neonatal offspring.