Positive Health Online

Abstract

ZHAO and colleagues, Division of Nutrition and Endocrinology, American Health Foundation, Valhalla, New York 10595 USA write that epidemiological and clinical research data suggest that tomato consumption may reduce the risk of cancer. Lycopene is the major tomato carotenoid and has been considered by some to be the biologically active agent responsible for reduction of cancer risk associated with tomato consumption.

Background

Methodology

The authors conducted a study in rats to provide information regarding uptake and tissue disposition of lycopene and related carotenoid in a diet containing a carotenoid mixture extracted from tomatoes. The tomato mixture was fed to male and female rats for a period of 10 weeks.

Results

55% of the administered lycopene was excreted in the faeces. Concentrations of lycopene were highest in the liver (120-42 microg/g wet wt); physiologically significant levels were detected in the prostate (97-47 ng/g); lung (227-134 ng/g); mammary gland (309-174 ng/g); and serum (285-160 ng/ml). Tissue concentrations were associated with dosage with the exception of serum and there were minimal differences between males and females. The other carotenoids present in the diet mixture phytoene, phytofluene, z-carotene and beta-carotene were also absorbed and stored in the liver.

Conclusion

These data indicate that lycopene is absorbed in male and female rats in a dose-related manner and can be detected at nanogram levels in a variety of target organs.

References

Zhao Z et al. Lycopene uptake and tissue disposition in male and female rats. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 218(2): 109-14. June 1998.