Are carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin an antiglycation agents? the potential cardiometabolic health effects and antiglycation mechanisms of action: A comprehensive review

Abstract

Carotenoids have been found to regulate cardiac-related gene expression and reduce pro-inflammatory gene expression on in-vitro and in vivo studies.Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids and they have antioxidant properties resulting from their chemical structure, unsaturated polyenic hydrocarbons, and non-provitamin A properties and are believed to provide this suppression of inflammatory cytokines.In animal studies, lutein and zeaxanthin supplements have been found to decrease oxidized LDL(low-density lipoprotein) levels, inflammatory cytokine levels, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and lipid parameters; which are pro-oxidant, inflammatory mechanisms which lead to formation of AGEs(advanced glycation end products) and making worse double-knife situation.Also lutein and zeaxanthin are found to improve glycemic biomarkers, acting as antiglycating agent and decreasing pro-inflammatory markers and interacting with cysteine residues of NF-kappa B(Nuclear Factor-Kappa B) subunits and yet, inactivating the NF-kappa B pathway, inhibiting the formation of AGEs.Lutein and zeaxanthin are also helpful reducing oxidative stress with effecting inflammatory pathways as NF-kappa B and p38 MAPK(p38 mitogen activated protein kinase).They also interfere AGE/RAGE binding, inhibiting the AGE formation and RAGE(receptor for AGEs) expression.The purpose of this review was to investigate the preventive effects of lutein and zeaxanthin carotenoids on the pathophysiology of cardiometabolic diseases, especially the pathway of their antiglycation effects.