A clinical study in long-term enterally-fed subjects to accurately assess the role of xanthophylls in visual function. – XanthoVision

Lutein and zeaxanthin are plant pigments of the Xanthophyll family (XANTH). They are not synthesized by humans and come exclusively from our food. They accumulate at high concentration in the macula (Macular Pigment, MP) suggesting that they have a specific role in this tissue. Studies suggest that they improve Visual Performance (VP), e.g. contrast sensitivity and glare recovery, but there is no definitive evidence of this because it is not possible to have healthy subjects devoid of MP. The originality of this project is to make measurements of VP in subjects deficient in XANTH, and therefore who no longer have MP. These subjects are patients under exclusive enteral nutrition, which currently does not contain XANTH, for at least 6 months. The project, a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled, multi-center trial, will measure patients VP, as well as patients MP and blood XANTH, at baseline and then after 6 months of supplementation with either placebo, lutein, zeaxanthin, or both