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Review
. 2015 Nov 11;4(4):678-689.
doi: 10.3390/foods4040678.

Nitric Oxide and Lutein: Function, Performance, and Protection of Neural Tissue

James M Stringham  1 , Nicole T Stringham  2
Affiliations
Review

Nitric Oxide and Lutein: Function, Performance, and Protection of Neural Tissue

James M Stringham et al. Foods. .

Abstract

The soluble gas neurotransmitter nitric oxide (NO) serves many important metabolic and neuroregulatory functions in the retina and brain. Although it is necessary for normal neural function, NO can play a significant role in neurotoxicity. This is often seen in disease states that involve oxidative stress and inflammation of neural tissues, such as age-related macular degeneration and Alzheimer's disease. The dietary xanthophyll carotenoid lutein (L) is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that, if consumed in sufficient amounts, is deposited in neural tissues that require substantial metabolic demand. Some of these specific tissues, such as the central retina and frontal lobes of the brain, are impacted by age-related diseases such as those noted above. The conspicuous correspondence between metabolic demand, NO, and L is suggestive of a homeostatic relationship that serves to facilitate normal function, enhance performance, and protect vulnerable neural tissues. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature on these points.

Keywords: inflammation; lutein; nitric oxide; oxidative stress.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) Illustration of normal involvement of NO in visual transduction; (B) Potential effect of NO on contrast sensitivity.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Illustration of NO-based excitotoxic/inflammatory cycle mediated by ischemia.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(A) Excitotoxic/Inflammatory damage mediated by NO-based generation of oxidative and inflammatory species; (B) Excitotoxic/Inflammatory cycle broken by lutein’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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