Synergistic effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and carotenoid absorption on macular pigmentation

• US 20060270739A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schepens Eye Research Institute, Trustees of Tufts College
• Original Assignee: Trustees of Tufts College
• Inventors: Johnson, Elizabeth J., Snodderly, D. Max
• Application Number:
  US11/413,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20060270739A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 514/560
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 2300/00 Mixtures or combinations of active ingredients, wherein at least one active ingredient is fully defined in groups A61K31/00 - A61K41/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/015 carbocyclic
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/045 Hydroxy compounds, e.g. alcohols; Salts thereof, e.g. alcoholates
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/12 Ketones
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/20 having a carboxyl group bound to a chain of seven or more carbon atoms, e.g. stearic, palmitic, arachidic acids
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 31/202 having three or more double bonds, e.g. linolenic eicosanoids, e.g. leukotrienes A61K31/557
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/30 Against vector-borne diseases, e.g. mosquito-borne, fly-borne, tick-borne or waterborne diseases whose impact is exacerbated by climate change

Abstract

The present invention provides compositions and methods for increasing the absorption of dietary carotenoids in humans. The methods and compositions of the invention can used to increase the concentration of retinal lutein and zeaxanthin, thereby preventing the onset and/or slowing the progression of macular degeneration. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of a lutein and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for modulating macular pigmentation by enhancing carotenoid absorption in a subject comprising

co-administering synergistic amounts of at least one carotenoid and docosahexanaenoic acid (DHA) to a subject, such that the administration produces increased absorption of the carotenoid.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one carotenoid is selected from the group consisting of lutein and zeaxanthin.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one carotenoid is lutein.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the method comprises administering 500 to 1500 mg/day of DHA and about 6 to 24 mg/day of lutein.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the method further comprises administering about 700 to 1000 mg/day of DHA and about 10 to 15 mg/day of lutein.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said co-administration increases serum carotenoid concentration levels between about 100 nmol/L to about 1 μ

mol/L compared to serum carotenoid concentrations levels in the absence of DHA.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the administration produces an increase in retinal concentration of lutein.

8. A method increasing transport of lutein into a subject'"'"'s retina,

administering DHA in sufficient quantity to increase HDL and HDL subfractions of blood,

administering lutein, wherein the co-administration of DHA increases macular pigment (MP) via increased transport of lutein into the retina.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the method comprises decreasing macular degeneration.