Plasma carotenoids and diabetic retinopathy

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy increases with duration of diabetes and may be associated with carotenoid status. Carotenoids alter the pro-oxidation/ antioxidation balance, and circulating levels depend largely on dietary intake. Lower levels have been reported in diabetes and age-related macular degeneration; however, little is known of the relationship between carotenoids and diabetic complications. Consequently, the purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between plasma carotenoids and diabetic retinopathy. We assessed the carotenoid-retinopathy relationship in 111 individuals with type 2 diabetes in a community-based, cross-sectional study. We photodocumented retinal status a..