Research: ABDULAZEEZ and THIRUVENGADAM,

Listed in Issue 243

Abstract

ABDULAZEEZ and THIRUVENGADAM,  (1)Department of Biochemistry, University of Madras, Guindy Campus , Chennai , India explored the effect in rats of lycopene against oxidative damage during experimental hepatitis, induced by D-galactosamine /lipopolysaccharide (D-GalN/LPS).

Background

Lycopene is a phytonutrient under considerable investigation for its antioxidant benefits in treating diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and diabetes.

Methodology

Experimental rats were pre-treated 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 pre-treated 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 pre-treatment with lycopene as observed by reduced tail movement in comet assay.

Conclusion

There is no conclusive report about lycopene-assisted protection against free radical mediated toxic injury induced by D-GalN/LPS. The authors’ findings reveal that lycopene effectively combated oxidative damage and protected antioxidant defence status of the cell. Pre-treatment of lycopene also offers protection against the DNA damage and confirms the antioxidant nature of the phytonutrient against experimental hepatitis.

References

Sheik Abdulazeez S(1) and Thiruvengadam D. Effect of lycopene on oxidative stress induced during D-galactosamine /lipopolysaccharide-sensitized liver injury in rats. Pharm Biol. 51(12):1592-9. doi: 10.3109/13880209.2013.803579. Dec 2013. Epub Sep 12 2013.

Comment

This result demonstrates the clinical efficacy in rats of lycopene for fighting oxidative stress and protecting antioxidant cellular status.

ICAN Skyscraper

Scientific and Medical Network 2

Cycle Around the World for Charity 2023

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Charity 2023

top of the page