Antioxidants (2006, 2024) Protect Cones and Retinitis Pigmentosa

2024

In an aging population, a major reason for vision impairment is oxidative damage to the rods and cones in the photoreceptor cells by blue light and UV radiation. It has been proven that the antioxidant carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin augment ocular health, largely due to their antioxidant properties' protective effects for retinal pigments, and use as light (nonproductive radiation) harvesting pigments. This 2024 study updates these carotenoids' potential and discusses the challenges for their maximum delivery effectiveness.

Kumar P, Banik SP, Ohia SE, Moriyama H, Chakraborty S, et al. (2024). Current Insights on the Photoprotective Mechanism of the Macular Carotenoids, Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Safety, Efficacy and Bio-Delivery. J Am Nutr Assoc. Aug;43(6):505-518.

2006

Why the negative affect of high dose vitamin E on RP function? It is possible that high dose vitamin E might have inhibited the absorption or transport of vitamin A, since patients receiving high doses had slight but significant decreases in serum A levels compared with those receiving lower doses in the 1993 Harvard study.

However, further exploratory studies of combined antioxidants in RP patients may be warranted. A recent study in an animal model of RP found that high dose antioxidants (vitamins E, C, alpha lipoic acid others) significantly reduced oxidative damage in cones, increased cone cell density and preserved cone function. These results, according to the Johns Hopkins authors, suggest that the gradual cone death that occurs after rod cells die is due to oxidative damage, and that antioxidants could provide benefit.

Komeima K, et al. Antioxidants reduce cone cell death in a model of retinitis pigmentosa. PNAS 103:1130-35, 2006.

Learn more about retinitis pigmentosa.