CArotenoid in hypoChOlesterolemia

"Carotenoid status will be determined by measuring plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin obtained during an annual blood draw. These molecules will be analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography.~The oxidative stress markers will be measured, in the blood sample already collected, thanks to specific assay kits: Erythrocyte reduced glutathione, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Plasma and erythrocyte malondialdehyde, Plasma vitamin C, Plasma oxidized cholesterol, F2-isoprostanes.~This study does not result in any change in patient management, but requires the collection of an additional volume of blood (14 ml of study-specific blood) during the annual blood draw performed as part of routine patient follow-up."

The macular pigment optical density (OD) will be determined by an additional photograph during the fundus usually performed for annual follow-up through two-wavelength autofluorescence imaging. Indeed, the measurement of the optical density consists of an additional post-examination analysis of additional retinal images obtained during the fundus performed for the patients' ophthalmologic follow-up.