The effects of lycopene on cholesterol levels and oxidative stress on experimentally induced hypercholesterolemia in rats

The Effects of Lycopene on Cholesterol Levels and Oxidative Stress on Experimentally Induced Hypercholesterolemia in Rats The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible protective effects of lycopene on oxidative stress and lipid parameters in rats induced hypercholesterolemia experimentally. A total of 28 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into 4 groups and each group has 7 rats. The period of experiment was 8 weeks. Groups were identified as Control, Lycopene (10 mg/kg lycopene), Hypercholesterolemia (HK, %2 cholesterol+ %0,5 cholic-acid contained diet) and HK+Lycopene. At the end of the study, the rats were decapitated and liver, kidney, heart, and brain tissues were isolated for the biochemical parameters; also liver, kidney and aort tissues were taken for the histopathological studies. Blood samples were collected for the lipid parameters and liver function tests. MDA and GSH levels and CAT acitivities of liver tissues in the HK group rats were decreased as compared to control group. MDA levels of HK+Lycopene group no such differences were observed, but significant increases were produced in the GSH levels. In the rats of HK group, MDA and GSH levels as well as SOD, GSH-Px and CAT activities of kidney tissue did not show any significant changes when compared to control. GSH levels of heart tissue of HK group were significantly decreased, these levels were seen to increase by the simultaneous lycopene applications. MDA levels of brain tissue in HK group were increased, the other oxidative stress parameters were not observed to change significantly. Hypercholesterolemic diet were found to be increased in the lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL) simultaneous lycopene administration caused partial amoleriations in these parameters. AST, ALT and GGT levels of HK group were found to be incresed, simultaneous lycopene administration caused decreses in these parameters. Furthermore, hypercholesterolemic diet caused histopathological changes in the liver and kidney tissues of HK group, while these modifications were seen milder in the HK+Lycopene group. Consequently, cholesterol-rich diet was found to increse the oxidative stress parameters and serum cholesterol levels, while lycopene caused to amelioration of these parameters. Key Words: Hypercholesterolemia, lycopene, oxidative stress, cholesterol levels, rat.