Lycopene reduces mortality in people with systemic lupus erythematosus: A pilot study based on the third national health and nutrition examination survey

Abstract

Introduction: Persistent inflammation and oxidative stress are the main mechanisms that increase the risks of cardiovascular disease-related morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As a natural antioxidant, lycopene can alleviate oxidative stress and suppress inflammation. We hypothesized that lycopene could have the potential to reduce mortality in SLE. Method: Thirty-seven participants with SLE from the NHANES III were divided into two groups (higher level group and lower level group) by rank method according to serum lycopene. These participants were followed-up from the date of interview (1988–1994) to 31 December 2006 for mortality. Mortality rate and survival function were compared between the two SLE groups. Results: The mortality rate was significantly lower in the higher level group (5.3%) than that in the lower level group (33.3%). There was a significant survival difference between the higher level group and the lower level group (Log rank p = 0.0436). In addition, cardiovascular disease-related mortality was dramatically lower in the higher level group than that in the lower level group. Conclusions: These findings from nationally representative samples indicate that higher serum lycopene has the protective effect on mortality in SLE. Further studies with large sample size are needed to confirm these primary results.