JP2006141410A - Foods and drinks having effect of relieving eye controlling function errors - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide foods and drinks having an effect of relieving eye controlling function errors. <P>SOLUTION: Foods and drinks having an effect of relieving eye controlling function errors, which comprise astaxanthin and/or its ester (excluding foods and drinks containing animal livers having action of refreshment for tired eyes and astaxanthin and/or its ester). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to foods and drinks that have an improving effect on eye regulation dysfunction comprising astaxanthin and / or esters thereof.

  The human eye has an adjustment function that automatically adjusts the lens so that it is always focused on the retina by making the lens thicker when looking at nearby objects, and thinner when looking at objects far away. This disorder of regulation includes presbyopia in which the ability to adjust decreases due to aging, making near vision difficult, and dysregulation of morbidity, dysregulation, retardation, adjustment paralysis, adjustment tension, and adjustment convulsions Etc. In particular, the latter causes of ciliary body fatigue of the eye, fatigue of the eye muscles that move the eyeball, fatigue of the optic nerve, systemic disease and other eye diseases. With regard to these treatment methods, it is said that there is no treatment for presbyopia, and the symptomatically reduced accommodation power is supplemented with glasses or contact lenses. For pathological abnormalities, the cause disease is treated and the environment is improved. As symptomatic therapy, glasses and vitamin B are used.

Therefore, there are few therapies for eye accommodation dysfunction, and there is not much preventive treatment at present. Astaxanthin and / or its ester is a method for treating retinal damage or retinal disease (US Pat. No. 5,527,533), astaxanthin and / or its edible ester is added to prevent cataract Alternatively, foods and drinks that have the effect of suppressing the progression thereof can suppress the onset or progression of cataracts, and can also suppress monocular diplopia, asthenopia, and halation that occur concurrently with visual impairment due to cataracts (JP-A-10- 276721). However, there has been no report on an eye accommodation disorder improving agent comprising astaxanthin and / or an ester thereof and a food or drink having an improving effect on an eye accommodation function disorder comprising astaxanthin and / or an ester thereof.

  An object of this invention is to provide the food / beverage which has an improvement effect with respect to the eye regulation dysfunction.

  As a result of searching for a compound having an effect of improving ocular regulatory dysfunction, the present inventors have found that astaxanthin and / or its ester is useful as an agent for improving ocular regulatory dysfunction. Moreover, it discovered that the food / beverage containing this astaxanthin and / or its ester showed the improvement effect with respect to the eye regulation dysfunction. The present invention has been made based on the above findings.

  That is, this invention is the food / beverage which has the improvement effect with respect to the eye regulation dysfunction consisting of astaxanthin and / or its ester.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION By this invention, the food / beverage which has the improvement effect of the eye accommodation disorder | damage | failure which consists of astaxanthin and / or its ester, and the eye accommodation disorder | damage | failure which consists of astaxanthin and / or its ester could be provided. Astaxanthin and / or its ester improve the eye's ability to adjust the eye, so that the condition of the eye becomes impaired, i.e. presbyopia, VDT or It is useful as a prophylactic and / or therapeutic agent for patients with fatigued eyes when engaged in work that frequently uses the eyes, and patients with dysregulation, dysregulation, dysregulation, accommodation paralysis, accommodation tension, convulsions etc. .

  Astaxanthin and / or an ester thereof used as an active ingredient in the present invention may be a chemically synthesized product, an extract derived from a natural product, or a crude extract, and these can be used alone or in an appropriate mixture. Examples of those derived from natural products include shells and eggs of crustaceans such as shrimp, krill and crabs, organs, various seafood skins, eggs, algae such as hematococcus, yeasts such as red yeast faffia, Mention may be made of marine bacteria (Agrobacterium aurantiacum), or those obtained from seed plants such as cypress flowers and gold buds. Natural extracts and chemically synthesized products are commercially available and easily available.

  Astaxanthin and / or its ester can be obtained, for example, by culturing red yeast Phaffia, green algae hematococcus, marine bacteria, etc. in an appropriate medium according to a conventional method or based on a known method.

  Various methods are known for extracting astaxanthin from the culture or extracting and purifying from the crustaceans. For example, since diester type astaxanthin is an oil-soluble substance, an astaxanthin-containing component can be extracted from a natural product containing astaxanthin with an oil-soluble organic solvent such as acetone, alcohol, ethyl acetate, benzene, or chloroform. After extraction, the solvent can be removed by a conventional method to obtain a diester type astaxanthin concentrate. The resulting concentrate may be further purified if desired.

  Astaxanthin is 3,3′-dihydroxy-β, β-carotene-4,4′-dione or a stereoisomer thereof. Specifically, three stereoisomers of (3R, 3′R) -astaxanthin, (3R, 3 ′S) -astaxanthin, and (3S, 3 ′S) -astaxanthin are known. Either can be used.

  Astaxanthin and / or its ester are known not to be mutagenic and to be highly safe compounds.

  As the astaxanthin component in the present invention, any of free astaxanthin, monoester and diester can be used. Diesters are physically more stable than educts and monoesters because two hydroxyl groups are protected by ester bonds, and are less susceptible to oxidative degradation in the preparation. However, it is considered that when it is taken into the living body, it is rapidly hydrolyzed to astaxanthin by in vivo enzymes and exhibits an effect.

  Examples of astaxanthin monoesters include esters with lower or higher saturated fatty acids or lower or higher unsaturated fatty acids. Specifically, acetic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, palmitooleic acid, heptadecanoic acid, elaidic acid, ricinoleic acid, petrothelic acid, vaccenic acid, eleostearic acid, punicic acid, ricanoic acid, parinaline Acid, gadolic acid, 5-eicosenoic acid, 5-docosenoic acid, cetoric acid, erucic acid, 5,13-docosadienoic acid, ceracolic acid, decenoic acid, sterling acid, dodecenoic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, Examples include monoesters such as docosahexaenoic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and arachidonic acid.

  Examples of the diester of astaxanthin include diesters composed of the same or different fatty acids selected from the above fatty acid group.

  Furthermore, as esters of astaxanthin, for example, amino acid esters such as glycine and alanine, monovalent or polyvalent carboxylic acid esters such as citrate esters and salts thereof, or inorganic acid esters such as phosphate esters and sulfate esters, and Examples thereof include monoesters such as salts, sugar esters such as glucoside, sugar fatty acid esters, glycerosugar fatty acid esters, sphingosugar fatty acid esters, glycerofatty acid esters, and glycerophosphoric acid esters. Or the above-mentioned amino acid, carboxylic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, sugar, unsaturated fatty acid, saturated fatty acid, highly unsaturated fatty acid, fatty acid ester, sugar fatty acid ester, glycero sugar fatty acid ester, sphingo sugar fatty acid ester, glycero fatty acid ester And the same or different diesters selected from glycerophosphates and the like.

  The drug of the present invention (which is an agent for improving the impairment of eye regulation comprising astaxanthin and / or its ester) is an appropriate sugar such as lactose or saccharose, an amino acid such as glycine, an excipient such as cellulose, according to a conventional method, Contains various binders such as starch, gelatin, methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc., or disintegrants such as starch, agar, or lubricants such as silicon dioxide, talc, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, flavoring agents, and sweeteners. It can be in the form. For example, solid dosage forms such as tablets, powders, granules, fine granules, pills, enteric solvents, capsules, troches, etc., internal solutions such as elixirs, syrups, suspensions, emulsions, syrups , Liquid preparations for external use, poultices, nasal drops, ear drops, eye drops, etc., or oil-filled capsules such as soft capsules, inhalants, lotions, suppositories, enteral nutrients, etc. It is administered in the form of

  Astaxanthin and / or its ester are easily oxidatively decomposed by oxygen in the air, have poor stability with respect to temperature, light and the like, and show a tendency to decompose over time during the storage period when prepared as a preparation. In order to suppress this decomposition, if necessary, a substance having an antioxidant ability can be added to the composition as a stabilizer. For example, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E (tocopherol, tocotrienol) or derivatives of these vitamins, cysteine, glutathione, phytic acid, catechins, flavonoids, β-carotene, glutathione peroxidase, citric acids, phosphorus One or a mixture of two or more selected from existing antioxidants such as acids, polyphenols, nucleic acids, herbal medicines, seaweeds, and inorganic substances can be added. In order to improve the absorption of astaxanthin alone or monoester, it is preferable to administer it in a fine powder state or an amorphous powder.

  The amount of astaxanthin and / or its ester used as a drug varies depending on the age, weight, symptom level, and mode of administration of the patient to be administered, but is an amount converted to the free form of astaxanthin. 0.1 mg to 10 g per day, preferably 0.1 mg to 1 g, 0.1 mg to 100 mg as a preventive effect, and 0.01 mg to 1 g, preferably 0.01 mg to 100 mg per day for parenteral administration, It can be administered in the range of 0.01 mg to 10 mg. The administration method is not particularly limited, but it is preferably more efficient when administered on an empty stomach or before a meal (30 minutes before).

  Since the drug of the present invention improves the accommodation power of the human eye, a situation in which the eye accommodation power is impaired, that is, presbyopia or visual display (VDT) in which near-sighted vision becomes difficult due to a decrease in the regulation power due to aging changes. ) Or tired eyes when engaged in work that frequently uses the eyes, and is useful as a preventive and / or therapeutic agent in patients with dysregulation, dysregulation, retardation, accommodation, paralysis, accommodation tension, and convulsions of pathological abnormalities It is.

  Note that what is described in US Pat. No. 5,527,533 is limited to the retina and nerves connected to it, even if it is an “eye”. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-276721 only describes cataracts and resulting eye strain. In contrast, the eye regulation dysfunction improving agent according to the present invention is considered to improve pathological abnormalities by improving blood flow to the ciliary body, suppressing ciliary muscle damage, and controlling nerves (parasympathetic nerves). It is done.

  The present invention also includes foods and drinks that have an improving effect on the eye regulation dysfunction comprising astaxanthin and / or esters thereof.

  Examples of additions to food and drink include margarine, butter, butter sauce, cheese, fresh cream, shortening, lard, ice cream, yogurt, dairy products, sauce meat products, fish products, french fries, potato chips, popcorn, sprinkles, Chewing gum, chocolate, pudding, jelly, gummy candy, candy, drop, caramel, castella, cake, donut, biscuit, cookie, cracker, etc., macaroni, pasta, salad oil, instant soup, dressing, egg, mayonnaise, miso, etc., or fruit juice Examples include addition to general foods such as beverages, soft drinks, sports drinks and other carbonated drinks or non-carbonated drinks, non-alcohols such as tea, coffee and cocoa, or alcoholic drinks such as liqueurs and medicinal liquors. .

  The food and drink of the present invention can be processed and produced according to a conventional method by blending astaxanthin and / or an ester thereof together with raw materials for general foods. The amount of astaxanthin and / or ester thereof varies depending on the form of the food, but generally 0.1 mg to 10 g, preferably 0.1 mg to 1 g astaxanthin, and 0.1 mg to 100 mg as a preventive effect is preferable. The food and drink, the functional food, and the nutritional supplement are prepared so as to contain only an amount necessary for exerting an effect of improving the eye regulation function. The amount used can be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art according to the type of food or drink.

  When the food or drink of the present invention is used as a dietary supplement or functional food, the form thereof may be the same as the above pharmaceutical preparation. Milk protein, soybean protein, egg albumin protein, etc., or egg white oligopeptide, soybean hydrolyzate, or a mixture of amino acids alone, which are degradation products thereof, can also be used. Also, processed products in the form of natural liquid foods, semi-digested nutritional foods and nutritional foods, drinks, capsules, enteral nutrients, etc. that contain sugars, fats, trace elements, vitamins, emulsifiers, fragrances, etc. be able to. When provided in the form of a drink, nutritional additives such as amino acids, vitamins and minerals, sweeteners, spices, fragrances and pigments may be blended in order to improve the nutritional balance and flavor during intake. Furthermore, a synergistic effect can also be exhibited by adding a blueberry extract or the like, which is a naturally derived extract containing a large amount of anthocyanins, which is said to be good for the eyes. The form of the food or the like of the present invention is not limited to these.

The present invention will be described in detail in the following examples and formulation examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
Example 1

Astaxanthin improves eye accommodation (test method) Subjects who met the following selection criteria were subjects.
(1) Persons with subjective symptoms that tire their eyes or persons engaged in VDT work. (2) Corrected visual acuity 1.0 or higher with both eyes. (3) Age 35-59. (4) Person who does not take medicine or health food at all times. (5) A person who can observe the items to be observed and receive medical examinations specified in the test method.

  Persons with impaired eye retina and those with cataract were excluded from the subjects.

Astaxanthin 5 mg / capsule test meal and astaxanthin 0 mg / capsule control meal were prepared. The test was performed in a double-blind manner.
I. Before ingestion The person in charge of the test can objectively measure the subject's accomodogram [change in the refractive value (adjustment response) when moving the fixation target with the accomodometer. Clear detection of dysregulation including VDT syndrome is possible. After completing the adjustment test, the subjects were stratified according to gender and test results, and a list was created and passed to the controller. Based on this list, the controller divided the subjects into the test food group and the control food group and created an allocation table. Furthermore, according to the allocation table, a label indicating the name of each subject was attached to the test meal or the control meal. The allocation table was sealed by the controller.
II. Ingestion Subjects took 1 capsule daily for 4 consecutive weeks after dinner.
III. After ingestion The subject underwent an accomodogram test of accommodation.

  The results are shown in Table 1. The table shows the human eye accommodation power of the test food group and the human eye accommodation power of the control group.

  In addition, the value of the regulation power (degree) in the table is expressed as an average value ± standard deviation, and “*” indicates a significant difference p <0.01 before intake vs. after intake (t-test).

From the results in Table 1 above, when comparing the human eye accommodation before start of astaxanthin intake and after continuous intake for 4 weeks, the test food group showed an improvement with a statistically significant difference. On the other hand, no such difference was observed in the control group. This shows that astaxanthin improves eye accommodation.
Example 2

  The effects of astaxanthin on eye accommodation, flicker (critical flicker fusion (CFF)), and pattern visual evoked potentials (PVEP) were examined in more detail.

  As controls, 13 people who did not receive astaxanthin and were not engaged in VDT were designated as group A. 26 VDT workers were randomly divided into two groups. Group B (13 persons) was orally administered astaxanthin 5 mg / day for 4 weeks. Group C (13 patients) received placebo orally for 4 weeks. There was no significant difference in age between the three groups.

  Double-blind method was performed in Group B and Group C.

  The group A eye accommodation was 3.7 ± 1.5 diopters. The eye accommodation powers of Group B and Group C before administration were 2.3 ± 1.4 diopters and 2.2 ± 1.0 diopters, respectively (significantly lower than Group A).

  In group B after astaxanthin administration, the eye accommodation power of 2.8 ± 1.6 diopters was significantly (p <0.01) larger than before administration. On the other hand, the eye accommodation (2.3 ± 1.1 diopters) did not change in group C after placebo administration.

  Regarding the eye accommodation power, the following values are known for the accommodation power of normal subjects. 8 years old-13.8 diopters, 16 years old-12.0 diopters, 24 years old-10.2 diopters, 32 years old-8.2 diopters, 40 years old-5.8 diopters, 48 years old-2.5 diopters, 56 years old-1.25 diopters, 64 years old-1.1 diopters (Stedman medicine) Great Dictionary, 4th edition, p.615).

  The flicker and amplitude and “P100 latency of pattern visual evoked potentials” for Group A were 45 ± 4.2 Hz, 6.5 ± 1.8 μV, and 101.3 ± 6.5 msec, respectively.

  The flicker between group B and group C before the start of administration was significantly lower (p <0.05) than that of group A.

  The flicker between groups B and C did not change after administration. The control range and the P100 latency of the pattern visual evoked potential in the groups B and C before administration were the same as those in the group A. There was no change after administration.

  The findings of this study suggest that the eye accommodation of VDT workers is improved after administration of astaxanthin.

  VDT work induces various visual impairments such as eye strain, blurring, double vision (a single object looks like two objects), and has side effects on the visual system It has been reported to have.

The eye's visual acuity, flicker reduction, adjustment range, and prolonged latency of the pattern visual evoked potential are used to determine the degree of eye blindness.
Subjects and methods

  Thirteen people who were not engaged in VDT work served as a healthy control group (Group A). Many work outdoors.

  In addition, the work by VDT selected 26 workers for one year or more for 4 hours per day, 5 days per week (from Monday to Friday). Their visual acuity was better than 20/20. During the VDT work, glasses were worn for adjustment.

  Here, humans wearing contact lenses, humans who used eye drops within 6 months, humans with severe ocular and systemic diseases, including diabetes (diabetes mellitus), were excluded.

  A double blind study was conducted for VDT workers. They were randomly divided into an astaxanthin-administered group (n = 13, group B) and a placebo group (n = 13, group C). There were no age differences between the three groups.

  Group B was orally administered astaxanthin capsules (5 mg / capsule) once a day, 30 minutes before dinner.

  Astaxanthin was prepared from an extract of Haematococcus prubiaris (Fuji Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.).

  In group C, placebo capsules were orally administered once a day 30 minutes before dinner.

  Groups B and C continued normal VDT work during the administration period. Group A received no treatment.

Measurements of eye accommodation, flicker, and pattern visual evoked potentials All measurements were made on the subject's right eye, from 9:00 am to 12:00 on Saturdays.

  Visual acuity was measured at 5 and 35 cm using a Landolt ring.

  Eye accommodation was determined by measuring near and far points. Peripheral points are according to the method of Uozato et al. (Uozato H, Nagakawa A, Hirai H, Saishin M: A new near-point ruler using constant dioptric stimulus. Folia Ophthalmol Jpn 1988; 39: 1247-1248)) [Binocular open fixed point refraction near-point meter, manufactured by Wac Co., Ltd.]. The far point was measured by the subject's best corrected refraction.

  The eye accommodation (diopter) was calculated by subtracting the far point (diopter) from the near point (diopter).

  The flicker was tested by reducing the frequency of the signal at a constant speed with a C.F.F. test apparatus (manufactured by Yagami Co., Ltd.). The average value of three measurements for each eye was used.

  The pattern visual evoked potential is recorded using Primus (manufactured by Mayo Co., Ltd.) according to the method set by the International Society for Visual and Clinical Electrophysiology, and includes one positive peak (P100) intensity and latency (N75 peak). The difference in μV between P100 peaks) was measured.

Statistical analysis The data before and after the administration were statistically analyzed using a paired t-test, and the data of the A group and the B group and the A group and the C group were measured by an unpaired test. The probability value is 0.05 or less, which is considered significant.

  From the above results, systemic side effects were not observed in the B group and the C group after administration.

  The visual acuity of 5 m and 35 cm of the subjects in Group B and Group C did not change before and after administration. The values for eye accommodation, flicker, and pattern visual evoked potentials are shown in the table below.

  In the mean value ± standard deviation in the table, # (p <0.01) was compared with the value before administration. * (P <0.05) was compared with the value of Group A.

Ａ群の眼の調節力は3.7±1.5ジオプトリーであった。
Ｂ群とＣ群の投与前の眼の調節力は、2.3±1.4及び2.2±1.0ジオプトリーであり、Ａ群より有意（ｐ＜0.05）低かった。アスタキサンチン投与後、Ｂ群の眼の調節力は、2.8±1.6ジオプトリーであり投与前よりも有意（ｐ＜0.01）に大きくなった。
プラセボ投与後のＣ群の眼の調節力は、2.3±1.1ジオプトリーであり、変化はなかった。
Ａ群のPVEPのP100強度は6.5±1.8μVであった。投与前のＢ群とＣ群の強度は5.8±1.7及び5.7±2.3μVであり、Ａ群と同様であった。
Ｂ群とＣ群の間には有意差はなかった。投与後のＢ群とＣ群の強度5.6±1.6及び5.5±1.3μVは投与前と同様であった。
Ａ群のパターン視覚誘発電位のP100潜時は、101.3±6.5msecであった。投与前のＢ群とＣ群の潜時（Latencies）は、102±6.9及び104.4±5.7msecであり、Ａ群と同様であった。
Ｂ群とＣ群に有意差はなかった。投与後のＢ群とＣ群の潜時、104±7.4及び105.2±5.7msecは投与前と同じであった。
眼の調節力は年齢により変化する。こここでは３群の年齢を釣り合わせた。また、糖尿病は眼の調整力を減少させる危険因子である。それで、糖尿病患者はこの試験から除いた。
本試験の結果はVDT作業者の眼の調節力がアスタキサンチン投与により改善することを示している。
VDT作業者の近点における増加と眼の調節力の減少が村田らにより報告されている（Murata K; Araki S; Kawakami N;Saito Y, Hino E：Central nervous system effects and visual fatigue in VDT workers.
Int. Arch Occup Environ Health 1991, 63(2), p109−113）、Murata K; Araki S;Yokoyama K; Yamashita K; Okamatsu T; Sakou S：Accumulation of VDT work-related visual fatigue assessed by visual evoked potential, near point distance and
critical flicker fusion.Ind. Health 1996, 34(2), 61−69）。この著者らはVDT使用による慢性的なストレスが毛様体（cilialy body）の機能低下（hypofunction）を誘発し、眼の調節力を減少させることを示唆している。
VDT作業者が、ちらつきの低下、及び調節域の減少、及びPVEPのP100潜時延長（Prolonged latency）することが報告されている。
この試験では、VDT作業者に軽度のちらつきが見られた。しかしながら、前後で有意に異なっていた。さらにVDT作業者にPVEPのP100強度の減少は見られなかった。
本試験において、アスタキサンチン投与が神経系に由来する、ちらつき、パターン視覚誘発電位に対し、投与前後で効果に差がなく、一方、アスタキサンチンの投与により眼の調節力が有意に改善されたのはアスタキサンチンが眼の毛様体に作用していることを示唆している。毛様体は水晶体の厚みを変え、ピントを合わせるという重要な働きをする。近くのものを見るときには水晶体を厚くするために緊張し、逆に遠くのものを見るときは弛緩してその機能を発揮する。

The group A eye accommodation was 3.7 ± 1.5 diopters.
The eye accommodation power before administration of Group B and Group C was 2.3 ± 1.4 and 2.2 ± 1.0 diopters, which were significantly lower (p <0.05) than Group A. After administration of astaxanthin, the eye accommodation power of group B was 2.8 ± 1.6 diopters, which was significantly greater (p <0.01) than before administration.
The accommodation power of group C eyes after placebo administration was 2.3 ± 1.1 diopters, and there was no change.
The P100 intensity of PVEP in Group A was 6.5 ± 1.8 μV. The strengths of Group B and Group C before administration were 5.8 ± 1.7 and 5.7 ± 2.3 μV, which were the same as those of Group A.
There was no significant difference between Group B and Group C. Intensities 5.6 ± 1.6 and 5.5 ± 1.3 μV of group B and group C after administration were the same as before administration.
The P100 latency of the pattern visual evoked potential of group A was 101.3 ± 6.5 msec. The latencies of groups B and C before administration were 102 ± 6.9 and 104.4 ± 5.7 msec, which were the same as those of group A.
There was no significant difference between Group B and Group C. The latency of group B and group C after administration, 104 ± 7.4 and 105.2 ± 5.7 msec were the same as before administration.
Eye accommodation varies with age. Here, the age of the three groups was balanced. Diabetes is also a risk factor for reducing eye accommodation. Therefore, diabetics were excluded from this study.
The results of this study show that the eye accommodation of VDT workers is improved by administration of astaxanthin.
Murata et al. Reported an increase in the proximity of VDT workers and a decrease in eye accommodation (Murata K; Araki S; Kawakami N; Saito Y, Hino E: Central nervous system effects and visual fatigue in VDT workers.
Int. Arch Occup Environ Health 1991, 63 (2), p109-113), Murata K; Araki S; Yokoyama K; Yamashita K; Okamatsu T; Sakou S: Accumulation of VDT work-related visual fatigue regulated by visual evoked potential, near point distance and
critical flicker fusion. Ind. Health 1996, 34 (2), 61-69). The authors suggest that chronic stress from the use of VDT induces hypofunction of the cilialy body and reduces eye accommodation.
It has been reported that VDT workers have reduced flicker, reduced regulation, and PVEP P100 Prolonged latency.
In this trial, a slight flicker was seen in VDT workers. However, it was significantly different before and after. Furthermore, there was no reduction in PVEP P100 strength among VDT workers.
In this study, there was no difference in the effects of astaxanthin administration on the flicker and pattern visual evoked potentials originating from the nervous system before and after administration, while astaxanthin significantly improved the eye accommodation by astaxanthin. Suggests that it acts on the ciliary body of the eye. The ciliary body plays an important role in changing the lens thickness and focusing. When looking at a nearby object, it is tense to make the lens thicker, while when looking at a distant object, it relaxes and exerts its function.

Formulation Example 1 (tablet)
The following ingredients were uniformly mixed at the following composition ratio (% by weight) to give a tablet of 180 mg per tablet.
Astaxanthin 5%
Lactose 75%
Heavy magnesium oxide 20%

Formulation Example 2 (Capsule)
A hematococcus extract oil (containing 10% by weight of astaxanthin) was filled in a soft capsule skin composed of the following components by a conventional method to obtain a soft capsule of 100 mg per capsule.
Gelatin 70%
Glycerin 23%
Propyl paraoxybenzoate 0.5%
Water proper amount Total 100%

Formulation Example 3 (Capsule)
The soft capsule skin was filled by a conventional method so that the weight ratio of the hematococcus extract oil to the blueberry extract was 1: 1 to obtain 100 mg of soft capsules.

Formulation Example 4 (Drink)
The following ingredients were blended, and a drink was prepared by adding water according to a conventional method.
Astaxanthin 5g
Liquid sugar 4kg
DL-sodium tartrate 1g
Citric acid 50g
Vitamin C 50g
Vitamin E 150g
Cyclodextrin 25g
Potassium chloride 5g
Magnesium sulfate 2g

Formulation Example 5 (Nutritional Tonic) A liquid preparation was prepared by adding the following ingredients and adding water according to a conventional method.
Astaxanthin ethyl ester 5g
Liquid sugar 4kg
DL-sodium tartrate 1g
Citric acid 50g
Vitamin B1 10g
Vitamin B2 10g
Vitamin B6 10g
Vitamin B12 10g
Vitamin C 50g
Vitamin E 150g
5g folic acid
Nicotinic acid 10g
Cyclodextrin 25g
Potassium chloride 5g
Magnesium sulfate 2g

Claims (5)

Food and drink for improving eye regulation dysfunction comprising astaxanthin and / or its ester as an active ingredient (excluding those containing animal bile with clear liver activity and astaxanthin and / or its ester). The food or drink according to claim 1, which is a functional food for improving eye regulation dysfunction, comprising astaxanthin and / or an ester thereof as an active ingredient. The food or drink according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the eye regulation dysfunction is in a state where the eye accommodation is impaired. The food or drink according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the eye regulation dysfunction is tired eyes when engaged in work that frequently uses a visual display (VDT) or eyes. The food or drink according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the dose of astaxanthin and / or ester thereof per day is 0.1 to 10 g.