Tomato extract supplementation results in a preferential accumulation of hepatic phytoene and phytofluene and decreased plasma total cholesterol levels in high fat diet fed rats

Abstract

We showed previously that dietary supplementation of tomato extract (TE) provides additional anti‐inflammatory potency as compared with lycopene (LY). In this study, we examined phytoene (PT), phytofluene (PTF) and lipid profiles in rats fed either control diet (35% fat, CD) or high fat diet (71% fat, HFD) with or without TE supplementation for 6‐wk. We found that TE supplementation results in a significantly higher accumulation of both PT and PTF than LY in livers of both groups. We also found that the hepatic levels of total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA) were significantly higher in HFD group as compared to the CD group. Interestingly, TE supplementation resulted in a further increase of hepatic TC, TG and FFA in the HFD group. However, TE supplementation in both CD and HFD groups significantly decreased the concentration of plasma TC. These data suggest that TE supplementation may decrease plasma TC associated with high dietary fat intake by regulating TC, TG and FFA in the liver. Moreover, TE supplementation results in a preferential accumulation of hepatic PT and PTF suggesting further investigation into their biological function(s). (Supported by NIH grant R01CA104932;USDA grant 1950‐51000‐064S;JCI‐2008‐01767 and JC‐2009‐00176).