Comparative Efficiency of Lutein and Astaxanthin in the Protection of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells In Vitro from Blue-Violet Light Photo-Oxidative Damage

The aim of this study was to compare in vitro the protective and antioxidant properties of lutein and astaxanthin on human primary corneal epithelial cells (HCE-F). To this purpose, HCE-F cells were irradiated with a blue-violet light lamp (415–420 nm) at different energies (20 to 80 J/cm<sup>...

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Main Authors: Martina Cristaldi, Carmelina Daniela Anfuso, Giorgia Spampinato, Dario Rusciano, Gabriella Lupo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-01-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/3/1268
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author Martina Cristaldi
Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
Giorgia Spampinato
Dario Rusciano
Gabriella Lupo
author_facet Martina Cristaldi
Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
Giorgia Spampinato
Dario Rusciano
Gabriella Lupo
author_sort Martina Cristaldi
collection DOAJ
description The aim of this study was to compare in vitro the protective and antioxidant properties of lutein and astaxanthin on human primary corneal epithelial cells (HCE-F). To this purpose, HCE-F cells were irradiated with a blue-violet light lamp (415–420 nm) at different energies (20 to 80 J/cm<sup>2</sup>). Lutein and astaxanthin (50 to 250 μM) were added to HCE-F right before blue-violet light irradiation at 50 J/cm<sup>2</sup>. Viability was evaluated by the CKK-8 assay while the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the H2DCF-DA assay. Results have shown that the viability of HCE-F cells decreased at light energies from 20 J/cm<sup>2</sup> to 80 J/cm<sup>2</sup>, while ROS production increased at 50 and 80 J/cm<sup>2</sup>. The presence of lutein or astaxanthin protected the cells from phototoxicity, with lutein slightly more efficient than astaxanthin also on the blunting of ROS, prevention of apoptotic cell death and modulation of the Nrf-2 pathway. The association of lutein and astaxanthin did not give a significant advantage over the use of lutein alone. Taken together, these results suggest that the association of lutein and astaxanthin might be useful to protect cells of the ocular surface from short (lutein) and longer (astaxanthin) wavelengths, as these are the most damaging radiations hitting the eye from many different LED screens and solar light.
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spelling doaj.art-1796e933a2a443c783fe1c520e5f14ba2023-11-23T15:54:49ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172022-01-01123126810.3390/app12031268Comparative Efficiency of Lutein and Astaxanthin in the Protection of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells In Vitro from Blue-Violet Light Photo-Oxidative DamageMartina Cristaldi0Carmelina Daniela Anfuso1Giorgia Spampinato2Dario Rusciano3Gabriella Lupo4Research Center, Sooft Italia SpA c/o Biologic Tower, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Biologic Tower, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyResearch Center, Sooft Italia SpA c/o Biologic Tower, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyResearch Center, Sooft Italia SpA c/o Biologic Tower, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Biologic Tower, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, ItalyThe aim of this study was to compare in vitro the protective and antioxidant properties of lutein and astaxanthin on human primary corneal epithelial cells (HCE-F). To this purpose, HCE-F cells were irradiated with a blue-violet light lamp (415–420 nm) at different energies (20 to 80 J/cm<sup>2</sup>). Lutein and astaxanthin (50 to 250 μM) were added to HCE-F right before blue-violet light irradiation at 50 J/cm<sup>2</sup>. Viability was evaluated by the CKK-8 assay while the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the H2DCF-DA assay. Results have shown that the viability of HCE-F cells decreased at light energies from 20 J/cm<sup>2</sup> to 80 J/cm<sup>2</sup>, while ROS production increased at 50 and 80 J/cm<sup>2</sup>. The presence of lutein or astaxanthin protected the cells from phototoxicity, with lutein slightly more efficient than astaxanthin also on the blunting of ROS, prevention of apoptotic cell death and modulation of the Nrf-2 pathway. The association of lutein and astaxanthin did not give a significant advantage over the use of lutein alone. Taken together, these results suggest that the association of lutein and astaxanthin might be useful to protect cells of the ocular surface from short (lutein) and longer (astaxanthin) wavelengths, as these are the most damaging radiations hitting the eye from many different LED screens and solar light.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/3/1268blue-violet lightluteinastaxanthinROScorneal cells
spellingShingle Martina Cristaldi
Carmelina Daniela Anfuso
Giorgia Spampinato
Dario Rusciano
Gabriella Lupo
Comparative Efficiency of Lutein and Astaxanthin in the Protection of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells In Vitro from Blue-Violet Light Photo-Oxidative Damage
Applied Sciences
blue-violet light
lutein
astaxanthin
ROS
corneal cells
title Comparative Efficiency of Lutein and Astaxanthin in the Protection of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells In Vitro from Blue-Violet Light Photo-Oxidative Damage
title_full Comparative Efficiency of Lutein and Astaxanthin in the Protection of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells In Vitro from Blue-Violet Light Photo-Oxidative Damage
title_fullStr Comparative Efficiency of Lutein and Astaxanthin in the Protection of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells In Vitro from Blue-Violet Light Photo-Oxidative Damage
title_full_unstemmed Comparative Efficiency of Lutein and Astaxanthin in the Protection of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells In Vitro from Blue-Violet Light Photo-Oxidative Damage
title_short Comparative Efficiency of Lutein and Astaxanthin in the Protection of Human Corneal Epithelial Cells In Vitro from Blue-Violet Light Photo-Oxidative Damage
title_sort comparative efficiency of lutein and astaxanthin in the protection of human corneal epithelial cells in vitro from blue violet light photo oxidative damage
topic blue-violet light
lutein
astaxanthin
ROS
corneal cells
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/12/3/1268
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