Protective effect of lutein after ischemia-reperfusion in the small intestine

Lutein is a carotenoid mainly found in green leafy vegetables and is located in the macula lutea in the human eye. Since humans cannot synthesise lutein de novo, it must be digested as food. The physiological importance of an orally administered compound depends on its interaction with target tissues. There is little information about the effects of intake of lutein in tissues other than the eyes. The aim of this study was to clarify the protective effect of lutein against oxidative injury using ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) model rats and to determine the relationship between pharmacokinetics and antioxidant activity of lutein. Intestinal I/R was induced by 30-min occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery followed by 60-min reperfusion. After 60 min of reperfusion, intestinal tissue was used for analysis of Evans blue dye extravasation, lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase activity. Lutein administered before I/R had a significant protective effect against oxidative injury.