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A dose–response meta-analysis of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake in relation to risk of age-related cataract

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Abstract

Background

Lutein and zeaxanthin are thought to have beneficial effects on protecting the lens against cataract formation, but findings from epidemiologic studies have been inconsistent. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to examine the association between dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake and risk of age-related cataract (ARC).

Methods

We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases up to March 2013. Reference lists from retrieved articles were also reviewed. The adjusted relative risks (RRs) from each study were extracted to calculate a pooled estimate with its 95 % confidence interval (CI). The dose–response relationships were assessed by using generalized least-squares trend estimation.

Results

Six prospective cohort studies were identified involving 4,416 cases and 41,999 participants. For the comparison between the highest and the lowest categories of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake, significant inverse association were found for nuclear cataract (RR: 0.75; 95 % CI: 0.65, 0.85), but not for cortical cataract (RR: 0.85; 95 % CI: 0.53, 1.17) and for posterior subcapsular cataract (RR: 0.77; 95 % CI: 0.40, 1.13). Dose–response analysis showed that every 300 μg/d increment in dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake was associated with a 3 %, 1 %, or 3 % reduction in the risk of nuclear cataract (RR: 0.97; 95 % CI: 0.94, 0.99), cortical cataract (RR: 0.99; 95 % CI: 0.95, 1.02), or posterior subcapsular cataract (RR: 0.97; 95 % CI: 0.93, 1.01) respectively.

Conclusions

Dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake is associated with a reduced risk of ARC, especially nuclear cataract in a dose–response manner, indicating a beneficial effect of lutein and zeaxanthin in ARC prevention.

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Acknowledgments

Served as scientific advisors (LM, JPP); critically reviewed the study proposal (LM, RRL, QS, JPP); collected data (LM, ZXH, RBY); management, analysis and interpretation of the data (LM, ZXH, RRL, RBY, JPP); and preparation of the manuscript (LM, RRL, JPP).

Financial Support

This study was supported in part by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81202198), the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province of China (2013JQ4008) and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (xjj2012052).

Conflict of Interest

None of the authors have any conflicts of interest associated with the work presented in this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University College of medicine, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, China

    Le Ma, Zhen-xuan Hao, Rong-bin Yu & Jian-ping Pan

  2. Xi’an center for disease control and prevention, 599 Xiying Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710054, China

    Ru-ru Liu

  3. The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University College of medicine, 277 Yanta West Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, 710061, China

    Qiang Shi

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  1. Le Ma
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Correspondence to Jian-ping Pan.

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Ma, L., Hao, Zx., Liu, Rr. et al. A dose–response meta-analysis of dietary lutein and zeaxanthin intake in relation to risk of age-related cataract. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 252, 63–70 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-013-2492-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-013-2492-3

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