Administration Of Lycopene Research Articles

The effects of lycopene on DNA damage and oxidative stress on indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Lycopene, the main antioxidant compound present in tomatoes, has high singlet oxygen- and peroxyl radicals-quenching ability, resulting in protection against oxidative damage in aerobic cell. Indomethacin is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and can promote oxidative damage in gastric tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of lycopene on an indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer model. A total of 42 adult male Wistar rats were divided into six groups of seven animals as follows: control, indomethacin, lansoprazole, lycopene 10mg/kg, lycopene 50mg/kg and lycopene 100mg/kg. Gastric ulcers were induced by oral administration of indomethacin, after which the differing doses of lycopene were administered by oral gavage. The efficacy of lycopene was compared with lansoprazole. DNA damage of lymphocytes was measured by comet assay. Activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and myeloperoxidase, as well as malondialdehyde and glutathione levels were determined in stomach tissue. This tissue was also taken for pathological investigations. The TUNEL method was used to detect apoptotic cells in paraffin sections. The results showed that 100mg/kg lycopene administration significantly decreased % Tail DNA and Mean Tail Moment in the gastric ulcer group, compared with the other treatment groups. This same dose of lycopene also significantly decreased high malondialdehyde level and myeloperoxidase activity, and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (with the exception of catalase) in tissue. Apoptosis rates in the stomachs of the rats correlated with the biochemical and histopathological findings. These results indicated that lycopene might have a protective effect against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer and oxidative stress in rats.

Systemic lycopene as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in chronic periodontitis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background:Patients with type 2 diabetes have an increased prevalence of periodontitis and, in turn, periodontitis adversely affects the diabetic status. Oxidative stress plays a key role in affecting the pathophysiology of both the diseases and adjunctive systemic antioxidant therapy may have beneficial effect on the treatment outcome. This study was planned to compare the efficacy of systemic antioxidant therapy with lycopene as an adjunct to scaling and root planing versus scaling and root planing alone in chronic periodontitis patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Materials and Methods:40 diabetic subjects with periodontitis, attending the OP wing of the Department of Periodontics of a tertiary referral care hospital were randomized and equally divided into group A and group B. Diabetes status was recorded as per ADA guidelines and the periodontitis status as per American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) guidelines. Group A patients underwent scaling and root planing with administration of lycopene 8 mg and group B patients were treated with scaling and root planing alone. Clinical parameters like gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded. Serum markers, i.e. malondialdehyde (MDA) (TBARS assay) and C reactive protein (CRP) (ELISA), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were assessed at baseline and at 2 months and 6 months post-therapy.Results:Inter-group comparison showed group A giving statistically significant results in reducing mean serum MDA levels at 2 months and 6 months, and in reducing mean PD (mm) and mean HbA1c (%) levels at 2 months (P < 0.005).Conclusion:Lycopene as an adjunctive treatment was effective in reducing oxidative stress and restoring altered glycemic levels. Further longitudinal studies with a larger sample size are required to establish the role of lycopene in the management of chronic periodontitis.

The effect of lycopene on experimental myringosclerosis

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lycopene on myringosclerosis development using histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses. MethodsFifty-six intact tympanic membranes of 28 guinea pigs were included in the study. Subjects were randomly divided into four groups (n=7/group). Group I (control group) did not receive any treatment after myringotomy. Group II (lycopene treatment after myringotomy) received oral lycopene (once daily at the same time, 10mg/kg, dissolved in water, administered with a catheter). The treatment lasted seven days. Group III (lycopene treatment before and after myringotomy), received lycopene treatment (same dose and route of administration) for seven days. Myringotomy was performed on day 8, and lycopene treatment was initiated immediately, and continued for seven days (same dose and route of administration). Group IV (lycopene treatment before myringotomy) received lycopene treatment one week before myringotomy using the same method and dose for seven days. Myringotomy was performed on day 8. Lycopene was not administered after myringotomy.Fourteen days after myringotomy, myringosclerosis was evaluated automicroscopically and scored. Following decapitation, bulla were removed and immersed in a 10% formaldehyde solution. Sections were cut for histopathological and immunohistochemical examination, and thickness, sclerosis, inflammation, and collagen-IV accumulation were scored semi-quantitatively. ResultsIn the present study, the level of myringosclerosis was significantly lower in lycopene-treated groups compared to the control group (p<0.05). In addition, thickness, inflammation, sclerosis, and collagen-IV accumulation were significantly lower in the lycopene-treated groups compared to the control group (p<0.05). The timing of lycopene administration – i.e. before and/or after surgery – did not cause any difference with respect to myringosclerosis development. ConclusionLycopene, a strong antioxidant, may represent a good alternative treatment to prevent the development of myringosclerosis.

Lycopene protects pancreatic acinar cells against severe acute pancreatitis by abating the oxidative stress through JNK pathway

This study investigated the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of lycopene on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) in both in vivo and in vitro models. Utilizing a rat model, we found that lycopene administration protected against SAP, as indicated by the decreased levels of serum amylase and C-reactive protein. Pathological changes were alleviated by pretreatment with lycopene. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, macrophage inflammatory protein-1α, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 were decreased by lycopene. The decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in the pancreatic tissues of the lycopene-treated group were indirectly evaluated by measuring the levels of myeloperoxidase, lipid peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. Lycopene protected acinar cells against necrosis and apoptosis by relieving the mitochondrial and endoplasmic stress caused by ROS which was shown in electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry staining of active nuclear factor-κB p65. The protective effect was also observed in a simulated SAP model in a rat acinar cell line. ROS and apoptotic staining were compared between groups. Lycopene exerts protective effects against SAP in rats that may be related to its anti-inflammatory property through inhibiting the expression of damage-associated molecular patterns, and anti-oxidative property which can thus maintain cellular homeostasis and prevent the phosphorylation of JNK pathway.

Efficiency of lycopene against reproductive and developmental toxicity of Bisphenol A in male Sprague Dawley rats

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic environmental toxicant and it is a globally used endocrine disruptor that is incorporated in many plastic industries. The revelation BPA has been implicated to have perilous consequences on reproductive healthiness in human and experimental animals. Present examination endeavor to appraise a powerful antioxidant lycopene against an estrogenic compound BPA. Healthy adult male Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to Bisphenol A (200mg/kg body weight) dissolved in corn oil (1mL) administered orally for 30 days. The pathological alterations due to BPA encouraged oxidative stress were evaluated in testis and epidydimis tissues. Simultaneously, adjustments in testicular hormones, sperm characteristic, biological enzymes like antioxidant enzymes, elevated peroxide reactions and enhanced ROS formations were measured in reproductive toxicity rats. Captivatingly, oral administration of lycopene (10mg/kg body weight) with BPA intoxicated rats reduced the testicular toxic condition, biochemical and morphological changes were brought back to normal. In termination, antioxidant potential of lycopene, ameliorates the changes that are induced by BPA.

Lycopene attenuates insulin signaling deficits, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and cognitive impairment in fructose-drinking insulin resistant rats

Fructose intake is linked with the increasing prevalence of insulin resistance, and insulin resistance links Alzheimer's disease with impaired insulin signaling, oxidative damage, neuroinflammation, and cognitive impairment. As a member of the carotenoid family of phytochemicals, lycopene is used as a potent free scavenger, and has been demonstrated to be effective in anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory reaction in the models of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we investigated the effect of lycopene on learning and memory impairment and the possible underlying molecular events in fructose-drinking insulin resistant rats. We found that long-term fructose-drinking causes insulin resistance, impaired insulin signaling, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, down-regulated activity of cholinergic system, and cognitive impairment, which could be significantly ameliorated by oral lycopene administration. The results from this study provide experimental evidence for using lycopene in the treatment of brain damage caused by fructose-drinking insulin resistance.

Implicating the role of lycopene in restoration of mitochondrial enzymes and BDNF levels in β-amyloid induced Alzheimer׳s disease

Lycopene has attracted significant research interest due to its beneficial therapeutic effects, which include anti-oxidant, neuro-protective and anti-cancer effects, but the mechanisms of its beneficial action are not clear so far. The present study was carried out to elucidate the neuroprotective effect of lycopene against the β-amyloid induced cognitive impairment and mitochondria oxidative damage in rats. β-amyloid (β-A1-42) was administered through intracerebroventricular (ICV) by using stereotaxic instrument in male Wistar rats. Lycopene (2.5 and 5mg/kg) was administrated for three weeks. Behavioral performances were conducted during the study. The rats were sacrificed on the 21st day following the last behavioral test and cytoplasmic fractions of hippocampus were prepared for the quantification of acetylcholinesterase, oxidative stress parameter, mitochondrial enzymes, and inflammatory mediator like TNF-α, Il-6 activities, caspase-3 and BDNF. ICV β-A1-42 resulted in poor memory retention in Morris water maze and caused marked oxidative stress as indicated by significant increase in oxidative, mitochondria damage, TNF-α, IL-6 and Caspase-3 activity. We also found that β-A1-42 induced animal altered BDNF level than control animals. Chronic administration of lycopene resulted in an improvement in memory retention, attenuation of mitochondrial-oxidative damage, reduced neuro-inflammation and restoration of BDNF level in β-A1-42 treated rats. These studies indicated that lycopene helps to protect β-A1-42 induced cognitive dysfunction and modulates amyloidogenesis.

Effect of Lycopene Against Cisplatin-Induced Acute Renal Injury in Rats: Organic Anion and Cation Transporters Evaluation

In the present study, we investigated the effects of lycopene on the expression of organic anion transporters (OATs), organic cation transporters (OCTs), and multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Twenty-eight 8-week-old Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, lycopene-treated (6 mg/kg BW by oral gavage), cisplatin-treated (7 mg/kg BW, IP), and lycopene in combination with cisplatin-treated groups. In the presence of cisplatin, serum urea nitrogen (urea-N) (48.5 vs. 124.3 mg/dl) and creatinine (0.29 vs. 1.37 mg/dl) levels and the kidney efflux transporters MRP2 and MRP4 levels were significantly increased, whereas OAT1, OAT3, OCT1, and OCT2 levels in kidney were decreased in the treated rats compared with normal control rats. However, administration of lycopene in combination with cisplatin resulted in a reduction in the serum urea-N (124.3 vs. 62.4) and creatinine (1.37 vs. 0.40) levels and the kidney efflux transporters MRP2 and MRP4 proteins in the kidneys. Administration of lycopene to acute renal injury-induced rats largely upregulated the organic anion transporters (OAT1 and 3) and organic cation transporters (OCT1 and 2) to decrease the side effects of cisplatin. The present study suggests that lycopene synergizes with its nephroprotective effect against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in rats.

Effect of lycopene on oxidative stress induced during d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide-sensitized liver injury in rats

Context: Lycopene is a phytonutrient under considerable investigation for its antioxidant benefits in treating diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and diabetes.Objective: This study explores the effect of lycopene against oxidative damage during experimental hepatitis, induced by d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (d-GalN/LPS).Materials and methods: Experimental rats were pretreated with lycopene intraperitoneally for 6 d (10 mg/kg body weight/day) and then induced by d-GalN/LPS. After induction, the levels of lipid peroxides in serum and liver of control and experimental group of animals were measured. The activities of enzymatic antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase and nonenzymatic antioxidants, such as reduced glutathione, vitamin C and vitamin E were also analyzed. The genotoxic effect of d-GalN/LPS was evaluated through the comet assay.Results: The elevated level of lipid peroxides induced by d-GalN/LPS was significantly (p < 0.05) reverted in lycopene pretreated animals. Lycopene administration restored (p < 0.05) the decreased activities of enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant markers during d-GalN/LPS induction. The DNA strand breaks (72.3 μM) generated during d-GalN/LPS toxic injury was significantly reduced (35.5 μM) upon pretreatment with lycopene as observed by reduced tail movement in comet assay.Discussion and conclusion: There is no conclusive report about lycopene-assisted protection against free radical mediated toxic injury induced by d-GalN/LPS. Our findings reveal that lycopene effectively combated oxidative damage and protected antioxidant defense status of the cell. Pretreatment of lycopene also offers protection against the DNA damage and confirms the antioxidant nature of the phytonutreint against experimental hepatitis.

Effect of antioxidant supplementation on digestive enzymes in radiation induced intestinal damage in rats

Purpose: Intestinal mucosa, a rapidly proliferating tissue, is highly sensitive to radiation and undergoes apoptosis as a consequence of over generation of oxidative free radicals and the lack of the antioxidants. Thus the present study was designed to investigate the intestinal damage induced by radiation and to study if supplementation of the diet with antioxidant vitamins could ameliorate the intestinal damage and its digestive activity, as determined by the expression of various border enzymes.Materials and methods: Swiss Albino rats (150–200 g body weight) were divided into six groups. Group I: Control untreated; Group II: Irradiated; Group III: Irradiated + vitamin A; Group IV: Irradiated + vitamin C; Group V: Irradiated + vitamin E; and Group VI: Irradiated + lycopene. Animals were exposed to whole body γ-radiation from 60Co at the rate of 8 Gy for 15 min/rat. Intestinal morphology and changes in various digestive enzymes together with, DNA damage was studied in six groups and each group consisted of 18 animals.Results: The gastrointestinal toxicity resulted in malabsorption, diarrhoea, weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal haemorrhage and hair loss. The activities of sucrase and alkaline phosphatase were elevated and those of lactase, leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase or tranferase (γ-GTP) were markedly reduced. Antioxidant vitamin A, C or E supplementations prevented changes in brush border enzyme activities as compared to lycopene administration in rat intestine by radiation exposure. Intestinal histology showed that the vitamin supplementation to irradiated rats minimized the intestinal damage in rats.Conclusion: These findings suggest that the epithelial lining of the intestine is highly sensitive to radiation exposure and supplementation of antioxidant vitamins is helpful in minimizing the intestinal damage and supplementation by vitamin E was most potent in ameliorating the intestinal aberrations.

Toxic effects of malathion in carp, Cyprinus carpio carpio: Protective role of lycopene

The present study was carried out in order to investigate the potential protective effects of lycopene against malathion-induced toxicity in carp. The fish were exposed to sublethal concentrations of malathion (0.5 and 1mgL−1) for 14 days, and lycopene (10mgkg−1 of fish weight) was simultaneously administered. Samples of the blood and tissue (liver, kidneys, and gills) were collected at the end of the experimental period and their haematological profiles [red blood cell (RBC) counts, haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations, haematocrit (Ht) levels, and erythrocyte indices, including the mean corpuscular volume (MCV), the mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC)], immune responses [white blood cell (WBC) counts, oxidative radical production (nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) activity), total plasma protein (TP) and total immunoglobulin (TI) levels and phagocytic activities (PA)] and oxidant/antioxidant statuses [malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) concentrations] were analysed. The findings of the present study demonstrated that the exposure of carp to malathion resulted in alterations in the haematological profiles and immune responses, and lead to increased reactive oxygen species formation, resulting in oxidative damage and inhibition of the antioxidant capacities. However, the administration of lycopene prevented malathion-induced toxic effects.

The carotenoid lycopene protects rats against DNA damage induced by Ochratoxin A

Ochratoxin A (OTA), one of the most prevalent mycotoxins in the world, has nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic properties. Lycopene is an important carotenoid and has a high singlet-oxygen and free-radical scavenging capacity. This study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of lycopene against the genotoxicity of OTA in rat tissues using the alkaline comet assay. Male Sprague–Dawley rats were used in the experiments. OTA (0.5 mg/kg b.w./day) was administered by gavage for 14 days, whereas lycopene was applied on the last 7 days or for 14 days of the feeding period, with OTA treatment. OTA caused marked increases in tail length, tail moment, and tail intensity vs. control both in the kidney and liver cells, but not in the lymphocytes. Lycopene administration alone for 7 and 14 days did not provide any significant change in DNA damage of the lymphocytes, renal and hepatic cells vs. controls. However, lycopene for both 7 and 14 days, with OTA exposure in renal and hepatic cells, supplied significant decreases in tail length, tail moment, and tail intensity vs. OTA-exposed rats. The effect of 14 days supplementation seemed to be more protective, particularly against hepatic cells. These results suggest that lycopene may protect hepatic and renal tissue from OTA-induced DNA damage.

Effect of lycopene administration on oxidative stress markers in blood plasma in cysic fibrosis patients

Effect of lycopene administration on oxidative stress markers in blood plasma in cysic fibrosis patients

The effects of lycopene on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity

To investigate the potential preventive effect of lycopene in cisplatin-related ototoxicity. Thirty-five healthy 3-3.5-month adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups and treated as follows: Group 1 (n = 10), received no cisplatin or lycopene. Both group 2 (n = 10) and; Group 3 (n = 15) received a single dose of 12 mg/kg cisplatin intraperitoneally. Lycopene was administered via gavage feeding in group 2 for 15 days. Prior to any medication administration, the baseline distortion product emissions were obtained in three groups. The animals were tested again at 15th day. The resulting distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) were evaluated at 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 kHz. On day 0, prior to any medications, the initial DPOAEs measurement results gave similar values in the three groups (p > 0.05). In group 2 and 3, statistically significant differences were recorded for all frequencies between day 0 and day 15 values (p < 0.05). Lycopene group demonstrated significantly higher DP-grams except for 1.5 kHz frequency when compared to cisplatin group (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in basal and mid turn external ciliated cells number (p < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in apical turn between three groups (p > 0.05). Stria vascularis changes were statistically significant between the groups, and the median score for stria vascularis injury was significantly greater in group 3 than in group 2 (p < 0.05). The median scores for spiral ganglion cells changes were significantly greater in group 3 than in group 2 (p < 0.05). The analyses of the results revealed statistically significant differences between two groups (p < 0.05), suggesting lycopene's possible protective effect against cisplatin ototoxicity. The present study revealed that administration of lycopene may demonstrate a protective role against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats.

Lycopene Partially Reverses Symptoms of Diabetes in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

In the present study, we describe the effects of lycopene on the symptoms of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Lycopene at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day was orally administered to STZ-induced diabetic rats for a period of 7 days after onset of diabetes. At the same time, food-water intake and body weight change were recorded daily. Upon sacrifice, biochemical parameters, such as the serum glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), were measured in all experimental groups. Administration of lycopene at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg bw per day significantly reduced serum glucose, TC, TG, ALT, and AST levels, and increased serum insulin levels, but there were no improvements in food-water intake and body weight change parameters in lycopene-treated diabetic rats. The results suggest that orally administrated lycopene exhibits a potent hypoglycemic effect in STZ-induced diabetic rats and that lycopene may be useful for the management of diabetes mellitus.

Study on the expression of c-Fos protein in the brain of rats after ingestion of food rich in lycopene

Lycopene, a reddish pigment contained in tomato, belongs to the carotenoid family along with beta-carotene and rutein. This study examined whether administration of lycopene to rats would induce excitation of neurons in the central nervous system. Continuous intake of lycopene-rich food was found to induce accumulation of lycopene in the plasma and liver, and stimulated central neurons in the paraventricular nucleus, ventromedial nucleus and supraoptic nucleus of the hypothalamus, which are known to be involved in the functions of athrocytosis and water drinking. These findings suggest that lycopene may have some influence on feeding and water-drinking behaviors.

Lycopene Effects on Serum Mineral Elements and Bone Strength in Rats

This study investigated the beneficial effect of lycopene on bone biomarkers in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Female Wistar rats were either sham operated or surgically ovariectomized and then fed with lycopene for 8 weeks. Serum Ca, P, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and bone gla protein (BGP) concentration was significantly higher in the untreated OVX group compared with that of the sham group, whereas serum estrogen levels were lower. Bone mineral density (BMD), BMD/wt, bone mineral content (BMC), BMC/wt values, maximum load, stiffness, energy and maximum stress were significantly lower in the untreated OVX group compared with that of the sham group. Administration of lycopene (20, 30 and 40 mg/kg b.w.) for 8 weeks significantly decreased serum Ca, P, ALP, and IL-6 concentration, and enhanced serum estrogen level, BMD, BMD/wt, BMC, BMC/wt values, maximum load, stiffness, energy and maximum stress in lycopene-treated OVX groups. In conclusion, the consumption of lycopene may have the most protective effect on bone in OVX rats.

Effect of bisphenol A on the myocardium of adult male albino rats and the possible role of lycopene

Introduction Despite the wide use of bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic and epoxy resin industries, its side effects have been a subject of controversy. Lycopene (a natural carotenoid) has a protective role in many cardiovascular diseases. This work aimed to study the biochemical and structural changes induced by BPA in the myocardium of adult rats and evaluate whether coadministration of lycopene could alter these effects. Materials and methods Twenty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups. Group I was the control. Group II received lycopene (4mg/kg body weight/day orally) for 8 weeks. Group III was given BPA (50mg/kg body weight/day orally) for 8 weeks. Group IV was given both BPA and lycopene in the same previous dose and for the same duration. At the end of the experiment, rats were anesthetized, and their hearts were taken and prepared for histological and biochemical studies. Area percentages of the collagen content and positive immune reaction for vimentin were morphometrically and statistically analyzed. Results Examination of group III revealed that some myocytes had a deeply acidophilic cytoplasm and were devoid of nuclei. Some myocytes appeared with pale vacuolated cytoplasm, and some had focal loss of myofibrils. Their sarcoplasm contained many distorted mitochondria and dilated T-tubules. Their nuclei were variable in shape. They were peripherally located, or deeply indented, or heterochromatic. Many interstitial cells, inflammatory cells, congested blood capillaries, and areas of edema were seen. A significant increase in collagen fibers and in the area percentage of positive immune reaction for vimentin compared with the control group was observed. Examination of group IV showed that the cardiac muscle cells had a normal architecture except for a few distorted muscle fibers and many congested blood capillaries. There was a significant decrease in the area percentage of positive immune reaction for vimentin in group IV compared with group III. The current study revealed significant increase in serum malondialdehyde, whereas tissue reduced glutathione and catalase showed significant decrease in group III compared with the control group. In contrast, in group IV, malondialdehyde showed significant decrease, and tissue reduced glutathione and catalase showed significant increase, compared with group III. Conclusion Long-term exposure to BPA could induce structural and biochemical changes in rat cardiac muscle. This could be partially minimized by concomitant administration of lycopene.

The effect of lycopene on oxytetracycline-induced oxidative stress and immunosuppression in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, W.)

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of lycopene on oxytetracycline (OTC)-induced oxidative stress and immunosuppression in rainbow trout. The experimental fish analysed in this study were divided into 6 different experimental groups. Group 1 was the control group, and groups 2, 3 and 4 received corn oil, lycopene and OTC, respectively, for 14 days. Group 5 received OTC for 14 days after lycopene pre-treatment for 14 days, while group 6 received OTC for 14 days before lycopene post-treatment for 14 days. Blood and tissue samples were collected at the end of the experiment and analysed for the oxidant–antioxidant status and changes in the immune response. There was a significant increase in the malondialdehyde level, which is an index of lipid peroxidation, and a decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activity as well as a decrease in the glutathione level in the blood, liver, kidney and spleen of OTC-treated fish. Glutathione-S-transferase activity was significantly increased in the blood, liver, kidney and spleen samples of the group that received OTC alone. OTC also appeared to suppress specific and nonspecific immune system parameters, such as the haematocrit, leucocyte count, oxidative radical production (nitroblue tetrazolium activity), total plasma protein and immunoglobulin levels and phagocytic activity. Pre- and post-treatment with lycopene attenuated the OTC-induced oxidative stress by significantly decreasing the tissue malondialdehyde level. The superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities as well as the glutathione levels were significantly increased with lycopene administration, while glutathione-S-transferase activity was significantly decreased. Lycopene administration was also associated with a significant increase in the OTC-suppressed immune system parameters in fish. Thus, the present results suggest that pre- and post-treatment with lycopene (10 mg per kg fish weight, delivered orally) may alleviate OTC-induced oxidative stress and immunosuppression.

Effects of lycopene on plasma glucose, insulin levels, oxidative stress, and body weights of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

To determine possible therapeutic effects of oral lycopene supplementation on plasma insulin levels, lipid peroxidation, blood glucose levels, and the antioxidant defense system of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Classical biochemical methods were used to determine plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) levels. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine plasma insulin levels and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the levels of brain antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px). Results: It was found that the diabetes-related increase in blood glucose levels was reduced by supplementation of lycopene over an 8-week period. Plasma NO levels and brain tissue GSH levels were meaningfully reduced in the treatment group compared to the diabetic group. In the hemolysate samples, it was determined that the treatment group's SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities significantly increased compared to the diabetic group. In the brain tissue homogenates, CAT and SOD activity did not show a significant change, whereas GSH-Px activity was increased in the treatment group compared to the diabetic group. SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px mRNA transcription levels were suppressed in the diabetic group compared to the control, and this suppression was stopped and increases were significantly induced by the supplementation of lycopene. Conclusion: In this study, the oxidative damage and low insulin levels associated with diabetes were ameliorated with the administration of lycopene. The results of this study indicate that lycopene is an effective nutritional component to alleviate and/or prevent the complications of diabetes, and these findings can be used as a basis for future studies.