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Manuscript received 29 February 1996. Initial reviews completed 22 April 1996. Revision accepted 12 September 1996.
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* The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Macular Disease Research Center, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114; Department of Ophthalmology and Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA 02115; and ** Department of Biochemistry, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111
Primate retinas accumulate the dihydroxy xanthophylls, lutein and zeaxanthin, from the diet via the plasma. Control of plasma concentrations of these carotenoids may be useful for prevention of retinal disease by manipulating carotenoid content of the retina. We have measured the plasma response of male squirrel monkeys to changes in the carotenoid content of a nonpurified diet. We have also supplemented the diet with zeaxanthin and 
-carotene. Plasma responses to dietary changes were rapid. Within one week, most of the change in plasma concentrations had already occurred. Within two weeks of increasing zeaxanthin intake, plasma zeaxanthin concentrations were at a new, relatively stable level. -carotene concentrations in the plasma were low while the monkeys were consuming a standard laboratory diet, and were only slightly increased by supplementation. Plasma lutein concentrations were unaffected by zeaxanthin supplementation. Our results suggest that it should be possible to manipulate plasma concentrations of each of the retinal carotenoids with little impact on the plasma concentrations of the other. This will facilitate exploration of the rates of accumulation of lutein and zeaxanthin in the retina, as well as exploration of the possibility of bioconversion from one xanthophyll to another.
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