Additional functional properties
Preclinical investigations have explored the broader functional properties of Eyevistar®'s lutein and zeaxanthin: antioxidant defence, vascular stress modulation, metabolic balance and liver protection.
Protection against oxidative and metabolic stress
In ARPE-19 retinal pigment epithelial cells, Eyevistar® protected against UV-A-induced oxidative damage and reduced the accumulation of A2E and lipofuscin. At 250 and 500 µg/mL, cell viability after UV exposure was maintained at 81.19% and 100.64% respectively.
In rats receiving a high-fat diet, Eyevistar® increased total antioxidant capacity and restored the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. The strongest response was observed at 10 mg/kg, indicating a dose-dependent antioxidant effect.
Modulation of VEGF and retinal tissue stress
High-fat diet feeding substantially increased vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Eyevistar® reduced VEGF dose-dependently, from 588.6 ng/L in the high-fat-diet group to 202.7 ng/L at 10 mg/kg.
VEGF is involved in angiogenesis and vascular permeability. Histopathological analysis showed reduced retinal thickening, oedema, congestion, fatty vacuolation and inflammation in Eyevistar®-treated groups compared with the untreated high-fat-diet group.
Effects on glucose, lipids and body weight
| Parameter | High-fat-diet control | Eyevistar® 10 mg/kg |
|---|---|---|
| Total cholesterol | 130.4 mg/dL | 64.9 mg/dL |
| Triglycerides | 237.2 mg/dL | 86.4 mg/dL |
| LDL cholesterol | 39.8 mg/dL | 18.1 mg/dL |
| HDL cholesterol | 24.6 mg/dL | 45.8 mg/dL |
Eyevistar® also reduced body-weight gain and adipose tissue accumulation without significantly changing feed consumption, suggesting the observed effects were not simply the result of reduced food intake. Serum glucose was likewise reduced.
Support for cellular resilience
Animals on a high-fat diet showed elevated AST, ALT and ALP, indicating increased liver stress. Eyevistar® significantly reduced these liver enzymes, with the greatest effect at 10 mg/kg. Treatment also reduced HSP60 and ARMS2, biomarkers evaluated as indicators of mitochondrial and cellular stress.
Together these findings suggest Eyevistar® may support cellular resilience by improving antioxidant status and reducing oxidative, hepatic and mitochondrial stress. These observations derive from animal research and require confirmation in controlled human studies.
Where these properties could apply
- Healthy ageing and cellular protection
- Metabolic and lipid wellness
- Antioxidant defence
- Liver health support
- Vision and screen-time nutrition
- Vascular and mitochondrial wellness
Explore Eyevistar® beyond eye health
Talk to our science team about antioxidant, metabolic and healthy-ageing formulation concepts.