The effects of lycopene on some apoptotic markers in liver tissues of 7,12 DMBA applied rats

Lycopene is a carotenoid compound found in certain fruit, such as tomato, watermelon, pink grapefruit and guava in high concentrations. Dietary intake of lycopene is inversely associated with the risk of cancer. The present study was conducted to decipher the effects of lycopene on the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-9, Caspase-3 with Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione (GSH) concentration during 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]-anthracene (DMBA)-induced liver damage in Wistar albino rats. In this study, 30 female Wistar albino rats (8 week, 180-220g) were used. Rats were seperated randomly to three groups as Control group, DMBA group and DMBA+Lycopene group (n=10). Rats were intraperitoneally injected with DMBA (40 mg/ per kg) except control group. DMBA+Lycopene group daily administrated with lycopene (20 mg/ per kg) by orally for 20 weeks.Pro-apoptotic Bax expression was decreased in DMBA group compared to control, however it was close to control group in DMBA+Lycopen group (P<0.05). Anti apoptotic Bcl-2 expression was increased in DMBA group in comparison to control and in DMBA+Lycopen group this value was close to control group (P<0.05). Activated Caspase-9 expression was lower in DMBA group according to control group and in DMBA+Lycopen group this value was similar in control group (P<0.05). Similarly activated Caspase-3 expression decreased in DMBA group in comparison to controls and in DMBA+Lycopen group this expression became stronger according to DMBA group (P<0.05). Concentration of MDA was higher DMBA group, it was similar in DMBA+Lycopen and control groups (P<0.001). Concentration of GSH was lower DMBA group, it was similar in DMBA+Lycopen and control groups (P<0.0001).In conclusion, lycopene supplementation may inhibit expression of Bcl-2 and may increase pro-apoptotic Bax, activated Caspase-3 and activated Caspase-9 expressions, used by mitochondrial cell death pathway in the liver of DMBA induced rats. Lycopene supplementation also may decrease MDA levels and increase GSH levels in rats.Key Words: DMBA, Lycopene, Liver, Bax, Bcl?2, Caspase?3, Caspase?9, MDA, GSH