CAN AN EYE BENEFIT FROM AN EGG? ADDITION OF LUTEIN IN FUNCTIONAL FOOD PRODUCTS AFFECTS THE MACULA LUTEA OF YOUNG HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS

Objectives: Lutein is a carotenoid and one of the primary pigments with antioxidative effects found in the macula lutea of an eye. The present study aimed to determine the effects of lutein consumption in the form of functional food (hen eggs enriched with n-3 PUFAs, selenium, vitamin D and lutein) on macula lutea morphology by using an optical coherence tomography (OCT) in young healthy subjects. Participants and Methods: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study included eleven healthy young subjects of both sexes (average age 18 to 28 years), assigned to a Nutri4 group and a control group. The Nutri4 group consumed nutritionally enriched hen eggs, while the control group consumed regular ones during the three-week protocol. At the beginning and end of the protocol, the subjects underwent ophthalmological examinations of the posterior eye segment by OCT. Venous blood was sampled to determine biochemical blood parameters (serum concentration of nutrients, liver enzymes, serum lipid profile, inflammatory markers). Results: Consumption of Nutri4 eggs led to a significant increase in n-3 PUFAs, lutein and vitamin E concentrations in serum. The average macular thickness (lower outer layer of the macula) was increased in the Nutri4 group, while no significant change was found in the retinal thickness of the control group after the dietary protocol. Urea was raised, and gamma-glutamyl aminotransferase significantly decreased in the Nutri4 group, while aspartate aminotransferase was increased in the control group after the corresponding dietary protocol. Conclusions: The consumption of enriched hen eggs has a beneficial effect on the thickness and volume of the retina.