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 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | Nil known |
| Sponsor | Waterford Institute of Technology |
| Funders | Industrial Organica, Waterford Institute of Technology |
- 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
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
Scientific
Waterford Institute of Technology
Carriganore House
WIT West Campus
Carriganore
Waterford
X91 K236
Ireland
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-5503-7084 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +353 (0)51 834074 |
| jmnolan@wit.ie |
Public
Waterford Institute of Technology
Carriganore House
WIT West Campus
Carriganore
Waterford
X91K236
Ireland
| ORCID ID |
0000-0002-3324-244X |
|---|---|
| Phone | +353 (0)51 306261 |
| mgreen@wit.ie |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Six-arm intervention study |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | The impact of formulation on lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin bioavailability: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study |
| Study acronym | COAST (the Carotenoid-Omega bio-Availability STudy) |
| Study objectives | The 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) studied | The impact of formulation on lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin bioavailability in a healthy Irish adult sample |
| Intervention | Participants 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 type | Supplement |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Lutein, 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 |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Serum lipid concentrations measured from a blood sample using mass spectrometry at baseline and 6 months |
| Completion date | 19/12/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 96 |
| Total final enrolment | 97 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Healthy adults 2. Age group between 18 and 65 years |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. 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 enrolment | 01/09/2017 |
| Date of final enrolment | 03/07/2018 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Ireland
Study participating centre
Waterford
X91K236
Ireland
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan | The 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 |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
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.
