Ameliorative effect of lycopene on antioxidant status in Cyprinus carpio during pyrethroid deltamethrin exposure

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the ameliorative properties of lycopene against the toxic effects of deltamethrin (DM) by examining oxidative damage markers such as lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant defense system components in carp (Cyprinus carpio). The fish were divided into seven groups of 15 fish each and received the following treatments: Group 1, no treatment; Group 2, orally administered corn oil; Group 3, oral lycopene (10mg/kg body weight); Group 4, exposure to 0.018μg/L DM; Group 5, exposure to 0.018μg/L DM plus oral administration of 10mg/kg lycopene; Group 6, exposure to 0.036μg/L DM; and Group 7, exposure to 0.036μg/L DM plus oral administration of 10mg/kg lycopene. Treatment was continued for 14days, and at the end of this period, blood and tissue (liver, kidney, and gill) samples were collected. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were determined in blood and tissues for measurement of oxidant–antioxidant status. A significant elevation in the level of MDA, as an index of lipid peroxidation, and reductions in antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px) and low molecular weight antioxidant (GSH) levels were observed in DM-exposed fish. Treatment with lycopene attenuated the DM-induced oxidative stress by significantly decreasing the levels of MDA. In addition, lycopene significantly increased the SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities and the level of GSH. The present results suggest that administration of lycopene might alleviate DM-induced oxidative stress.