The efficacy of different nutritional formulas of lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin and their impact on the human body

ISRCTN ISRCTN18206561
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN18206561
Submission date
14/07/2020
Registration date
30/07/2020
Last edited
25/08/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Macular carotenoids are important nutrients that accumulate inside the eye, in the centre of the retina (macula). They have an important role in preserving vision since they protect against light-induced oxidative damage and can improve visual performance. Macular carotenoids have also been found in other areas of the body, like the brain. Studies have also shown they can improve certain cognitive domains such as memory, and they have been used as antioxidants in cardiometabolic diseases (i.e. heart attack, atherosclerosis, etc). Macular carotenoids are dietary of origin, which means that the human body cannot make them and their only source is from certain fruits and vegetables. The supplements used in this study are considered a major source of them, since they contain natural extracts of macular carotenoids obtained from marigolds. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact on the human body of different carotenoid formulations in nutritional supplements by measuring response in serum (blood) concentrations, as well as change in macular pigment, visual function, cognitive function, and metabolism.

Who can participate?
Healthy volunteers, between 18 and 60 years old

What does the study involve?
Participants are asked to take either a supplement containing the macular carotenoids with or without fish oil, or a placebo (dummy tablet) on a daily basis for 6 months; participants are assigned to one of six different groups and neither the participants nor the investigators will know if they are consuming the supplement or the placebo until the end of the study. Each participant will attend the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, for three study visits over a 6-month period. There are two main visits, at the start (first visit) and at the end (last visit) of the trial, and a short visit at month 3 only for a fasting blood sample. The main visits last about 2 hours 30 minutes, whereas the study visit for blood samples lasts no more than 10 minutes.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The researchers draw a fasting blood sample and perform ocular dilation in one eye; however, no risks to participants are foreseen. Participation in this study is not a substitute for standard medical care or eye care. It is anticipated that society will benefit from this study. At the end of the study, the researchers will provide a full report on the evaluations performed to you. The participant will be given feedback and gain knowledge on their vision status, cognitive evaluation and macular pigment levels as well as nutritional information and general health recommendations. They will be informed on their macular pigment, which is of note as research has suggested that a person’s macular pigment level is a good indicator of overall eye health and brain function.

Where is the study run from?
Waterford Institute of Technology (Ireland)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2017 to December 2018

Who is funding the study?
Waterford Institute of Technology Co-Fund Scholarship: Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, Waterford Institute of Technology and Enterprise Partner: Industrial Organica (Mexico)

Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Marina Green
+353 (0) 51306261
2. Prof. John Nolan
jmnolan@wit.ie

Contact information

Prof John Nolan
Scientific

Waterford Institute of Technology
Carriganore House
WIT West Campus
Carriganore
Waterford
X91 K236
Ireland

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-5503-7084
Phone +353 (0)51 834074
Email jmnolan@wit.ie
Dr Marina Green
Public

Waterford Institute of Technology
Carriganore House
WIT West Campus
Carriganore
Waterford
X91K236
Ireland

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-3324-244X
Phone +353 (0)51 306261
Email mgreen@wit.ie

Study information

Study designSix-arm intervention study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleThe impact of formulation on lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin bioavailability: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study
Study acronymCOAST (the Carotenoid-Omega bio-Availability STudy)
Study objectivesThe hypotheses were (a) that the active intervention groups (unrelated treatments) would all have a higher average response, after 6 months, in serum and in tissue concentrations compared with the placebo group, and (b) that the diacetate intervention would have a higher average response as compared with the other three active intervention groups.
Ethics approval(s)1. Approved 26/05/2017, Research Ethics Committee of Waterford Institute of Technology (Waterford, Ireland; +353 (0)51 302000; ethics@wit.ie), ref: 17/HS-MPRG/01
2. Approved 24/05/2017, Research Ethics Committee of the HSE, South Eastern Area (Waterford Regional Hospital, Waterford, Ireland; +353 (0)51 842026; caroline.lamb2@hse.ie), ref: not provided
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedThe impact of formulation on lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin bioavailability in a healthy Irish adult sample
InterventionParticipants were blocked randomized, with equal probability and separately for men and women, to one of five active intervention groups, or to a placebo group. Block randomization was performed using a trial management system, “Trial Controller”, designed by the research group. Participants take on a daily basis for 6 months:

Group 1: lutein (L) (10 mg) + meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) (10 mg) + zeaxanthin (Z) (2 mg) provided in one capsule
Group 2: L (10 mg) + MZ (10 mg) + Z (2 mg) provided in two capsules
Group 3: L (10 mg) + MZ (10 mg) + Z (2 mg) provided in DHA/EPA (430 mg/ 90 mg) in two capsules
Group 4: L (10 mg) + MZ (10 mg) + Z (2 mg) diacetates provided in micromicellar formulation in one capsule
Group 5: L (5 mg lutein) = MZ (15 mg) + Z (1 mg) provided in 1 g of fish oil in two capsules
Group 6: placebo (sunflower oil)

Neither the participants nor the investigators will know if they are consuming the supplement or the placebo until the end of the study.

Each volunteer will attend the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford, for three study visits over a 6-month period. There are two main visits, at the start (first visit) and at the end (last visit) of the trial, and a short visit at month 3 only for a fasting blood sample. The main visits last approximately 2 h 30 min, whereas the study visit for blood samples lasts no more than 10 minutes.
Intervention typeSupplement
Primary outcome measureLutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin bioavailability measured in serum, macular pigment, and skin using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the Spectralis investigational macular pigment optical density (MPOD) module, and the Nu Skin Pharmanex S3 scanner, respectively, at baseline and 6 months
Secondary outcome measures1. Serum lipid concentrations measured from a blood sample using mass spectrometry at baseline and 6 months
2. DHA and EPA measured from a blood sample using gas chromatography at baseline and 6 months
3. Visual function measured using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) chart (Test Chart 2000 PROTM) for Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA); the LogMAR EDTRS (Test Chart 2000 PROTM) for Letter Contrast Sensitivity (CS); the “Advanced Vision and Optometric Tests” (AVOT) for visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, cone and rod vision; at baseline and 6 months
4. Cognitive function measured using tests of attention, memory, executive function and decision making from the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB, Cambridge Cognition, UK) at baseline and 6 months
5. Medical information obtained through a questionnaire and physical examination at baseline and 6 months
Overall study start date01/04/2017
Completion date19/12/2018

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants96
Total final enrolment97
Key inclusion criteria1. Healthy adults
2. Age group between 18 and 65 years
Key exclusion criteria1. A medical diagnosis of a critical or acute medical condition
2. Intake of nutritional supplements containing lutein, zeaxanthin, meso-zeaxanthin or omega-3 fatty acids
Date of first enrolment01/09/2017
Date of final enrolment03/07/2018

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Ireland

Study participating centre

Nutrition Research Centre Ireland
Waterford Institute of Technology, West Campus
Waterford
X91K236
Ireland

Sponsor information

Waterford Institute of Technology
University/education

Nutrition Research Centre Ireland
Carriganore House
West Campus
Waterford
X91K236
Ireland

Phone +353 (0)51 845505
Email info@mprg.ie
Website http://www.wit.ie

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Industrial Organica

No information available

Waterford Institute of Technology

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/08/2020
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planPrimary outcomes will be published in an initial publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal, followed by subsequent publications focused on secondary outcomes.
IPD sharing planThe data-sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 18/08/2020 25/08/2020 Yes No

Editorial Notes

25/08/2020: Publication reference added.
17/07/2020: Trial's existence confirmed by Research Ethics Committees of the Waterford Institute of Technology.