Effects of Lycopene on the model of oleic acid-induced acute lung injury

Effects of Lycopene on the model of oleic acid-induced acute lung injuryThis study was performed to investigate the changes in oxidant-antioxidant system, and the protective effect of lycopene, that it is known as an antioxidant in the oleic acid induced lung injury rat model.Twenty eight female wistar rats (140-160 g) were enrolled into the study. Animals of control group (n=7) were fed in standard rat chow and applied SF+ethanol (9:1). A single dose of 100 mg/kg OA intravenosly was administrated to OA group (n=7). At the end of the 5 th week, OA was administared. One ml of corn oil was given daily to corn oil+OA group (n=7) by gavage for five weeks. Lycopene in the corn oil was given by gavage to lycopene+OA group (n=7) for five weeks. Then at the end of the 5 th weeks, OA were given to them. Four hour after OA administration, lung tissue and blood samples were taken from rats. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT) levels were determined in blood and tissue samples.Compared with control group, MDA levels of serum and lung tissues were increased in OA and corn oil+OA groups where as decreased to controls levels in lycopene+OA group (p<0,05). SOD and GSH-Px activities of serum and tissue increased moderetaly or they were closed with control values. There was significant increase in group lycopene+OA values. Histopathology lung injury in OA and corn oil+OA group were evident, in lycopene+OA group the injury was less than OA, corn oil+OA groups.In conclusion, lycopene may increase oxidant-antioxidant balance to favour of antioxidants, so that addition of lycopene to diet may be useful for protecting lung injury.Key words: Acute lung injury, lycopene, antioxidant, oleic acid