A comparison of lutein bioaccumulation in infant rhesus macaques fed breast milk, carotenoid‐supplemented formula, or unsupplemented formula
Authors: Jeon Sookyoung , Ranard Katherine M. , Neuringer Martha , Johnson Emily E. , Renner Lauren , Kuchan Matthew , Pereira Suzette L. , Johnson Elizabeth J. , Erdman John W. 
Published: November 2023

Background/Objective

Lutein, a yellow xanthophyll pigment, is selectively taken up in primate retina and brain and may have critical roles in eye and brain health. Given that lutein's unique accumulation pattern could imply its functional role, the aim of this study was to investigate lutein's bioaccumulation pattern in response to dietary carotenoids from breastmilk and infant formulas in infant rhesus macaques.

Methods

From birth, rhesus macaques were breastfed, or fed either a formula supplemented with lutein, zeaxanthin, β‐carotene and lycopene, or a formula with low levels of these carotenoids (n = 8, 8, 7). Serum carotenoids were measured monthly, and tissues were collected after 6 months of feeding. Carotenoid levels were analyzed by HPLC in serum and tissues including several brain areas (occipital, prefrontal, motor and superior temporal cortexes, striatum, hippocampus, cerebellum, gray and white matter).

Results

Serum lutein concentrations increased from baseline in each group except the unsupplemented group. After 6 months, serum lutein levels were significantly higher in the supplemented formula group compared to the unsupplemented group (77.9 ± 27.5 nmol/L and 15.8 ± 4.5 nmol/L, p < 0.001). The breastfed group exhibited the highest average lutein level in serum (421.6 ± 63.7 nmol/L) and in all tissues examined. Lutein was differentially distributed across brain areas, with highest levels in the occipital cortex in all groups. Supplemented formula significantly enhanced lutein deposition in all brain regions compared to the unsupplemented formula (p < 0.001). Zeaxanthin was selectively accumulated across brain regions of the breastfed group, with highest levels in the occipital cortex but was undetectable in both formula groups. In the retina, lutein and zeaxanthin levels of the breastfed group also were significantly higher than those of either formula group (p < 0.001). Formula supplementation significantly increased lutein in peripheral retina, but not macular retina (p < 0.05). However, retinal zeaxanthin levels did not differ between the formula groups. Among adipose sites, abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue showed the highest lutein; lutein was significantly higher in the supplemented formula group compared to the unsupplemented group (p < 0.05). In addition, highest lutein deposition was found in all adipose tissues, liver, kidney, spleen, and other tissues in the breastfed group, followed by the supplemented group. Lycopene, while found in other tissues of the supplemented formula group, was not detected in brain or retina.

Conclusion

Breastfed infant rhesus macaques have higher lutein levels in serum and brain regions, retina, and other tissues than in monkeys who consumed either formula. Increased intake of lutein from formula enhanced lutein deposition in serum and multiple tissues including all brain areas.

Support or Funding Information

Funding provided by Abbott Nutrition through the Center for Nutrition, Learning and Memory, University of Illinois, Urbana‐Champaign and NIH grant P51OD011092.