Lutein Decreases Inflammation and Oxidative Stress and Prevents Iron Accumulation and Lipid Peroxidation at Glutamate-Induced Neurotoxicity

The xanthophyll carotenoid lutein has been widely used as supplementation due to its protective effects in light-induced oxidative stress. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory features suggest that it has a neuroprotective role as well. Glutamate is a major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS), which plays a key role in regulating brain function. Excess accumulation of intracellular glutamate accelerates an increase in the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in neurons leading to glutamate neurotoxicity. In this study, we focused on the effects of glutamate on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to identify the possible alterations in oxidative stress, inflammation, and iron metabolism that affect the neurological function itself and in the presence of antioxidant lutein. First, ROS measurements were performed, and then catalase (CAT) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity were determined by enzyme activity assay kits. The ELISA technique was used to detect proinflammatory TNFα, IL-6, and IL-8 cytokine secretions. Alterations in iron uptake, storage, and release were followed by gene expression measurements and Western blotting. Total iron level detections were performed by a ferrozine-based iron detection method, and a heme assay kit was used for heme measurements. The gene expression toward lipid-peroxidation was determined by RT-PCR. Our results show glutamate changes ROS, inflammation, and antioxidant enzyme activity, modulate iron accumulation, and may initiate lipid peroxidation in SH-SY5Y cells. Meanwhile, lutein attenuates the glutamate-induced effects on ROS, inflammation, iron metabolism, and lipid peroxidation. According to our findings, lutein could be a beneficial, supportive treatment in neurodegenerative disorders.