Julie A. Mares, Ph.D.

Room 1063 Warf Office Building
610 N. Walnut Street
Madison, WI 53705
608-262-8044
jmarespe@facstaff.wisc.edu

Emphasis Group:
Human Nutrition

Principal Research Interest:
Identification of nutritional factors in the development of age-related eye disease and degenerative processes of aging in general; development of methods of measurement and analysis of dietary intake for epidemiologic studies.

Research Summary:
Our research group uses techniques in nutritional epidemiology to investigate relations between diet and the development of age-related eye diseases. This information contributes insights regarding the potential importance of specific nutrient factors on the pathogenic processes of these conditions. It also indicates the likelihood that changes in dietary practices or use of supplements can impact on the development of these conditions, which are becoming increasingly common as the population ages. Investigations are performed in several separate population groups: a large cohort of middle-aged and older adults residing in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin; a United States sample of persons over 40 years of age participating in the Third National Health and Examination Survey; middle-aged persons from four diverse US communities participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study and a sample of women participating in the Women's Health Initiative.

We evaluate relationships of nutritional factors to the occurrence of eye disorders that are common in older adults and include age-related cataract, macular degeneration, and retinopathy. We hope to be able to apply what is learned about relations between diet and eye disorders to our broader understanding of the effects of diet on the aging process in general.

One group of dietary components hypothesized to be related to the intake of all three eye disorders are those which influence oxidative stress (i.e. tocopherols, ascorbic acid, and carotenoids). The high levels of exposure of the lens and retina of the eye to ultraviolet light results in the generation of light-induced damaging reactive oxygen species. In addition, the retina has a high rate of oxidative metabolism that enhances the production of these compounds and a high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are susceptible to oxidative damage. We study the relationships of dietary and blood levels of diet components that protect against oxidative stress to the incidence and progression of degenerative eye diseases in populations.

In order to conduct these population studies, methodological developments in the techniques to assess these diet components are necessary. Thus, a second focus of this research program is the development of methodologies necessary to evaluate the level of nutrients in the diet. One such
technique involves the estimation of carotenoid levels in the retina using heterochromatic flicker photometry.

Representative Publications:

Larowe, T. L., Mares, J. A., Snodderly, D. M., Klein, M. L., Wooten, B. R. & Chappell, R. (2007) Macular Pigment Density and Age-Related Maculopathy in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study An Ancillary Study of the Women's Health Initiative. Ophthalmology., Online
Sept 15 , 2007 and In press.

Mares, J. A., LaRowe, T. L., Snodderly, D. M., Moeller, S. M., Gruber, M. J., Klein, M. L., Wooten, B. R., Johnson, E. J. & Chappell, R. J. (2006) Predictors of optical density of lutein and zeaxanthin in retinas of older women in the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study, an ancillary study of the Women's Health Initiative. Am J Clin Nutr 84:
1107-1122.

Moeller, S. M., Parekh, N., Tinker, L., Ritenbaugh, C., Blodi, B., Wallace, R. B. & Mares, J. A. (2006) Associations between intermediate age-related macular degeneration and lutein and zeaxanthin in the Carotenoids in Age-related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS): ancillary study
of the Women's Health Initiative. Arch Ophthalmol 124: 1151-1162.

Parekh, N., Chappell, R. J., Millen, A. E., Albert, D. M. & Mares, J. A. (2007) Association between vitamin D and age-related macular degeneration in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988 through 1994. Arch Ophthalmol 125: 661-669.

Whitehead, A. J., Mares, J. A. & Danis, R. P. (2006) Macular pigment: a review of current knowledge. Arch Ophthalmol 124: 1038-1045.