Long-term lutein administration attenuates retinal inflammation and functional deficits in early diabetic retinopathy using the Ins2Akita/+ mice.

We showed beneficial effects of long-term lutein administration in the Ins2Akita/+ mouse retina, including suppression of retinal inflammation, protection of retinal vasculature and preservation of retinal function. These results point to lutein's potential as a long-term therapeutic intervention for prevention of inflammation and retinal degeneration in patients with early DR.