Protective effect of Lycopene on oxidative stress induced by different doses of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in brain, liver, kidney and heart tissues of rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of subchronic TCDD applications in different doses on oxidant-antioxidant systems in rats, and protective roles of lycopene on these effects.A total of 64 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 190-250 g were used in the present study. Rats were divided into eight groups, each group including eight rats. The period of experiment was 13 weeks. During this period, the control group was treated with 0.5 ml placebo (corn oil) and 10 ml/kg lycopene was applied for Group 2, using gavage method. Group 3, 4 and 5 were subjected to 50, 500, and 1000 ng/kg of TCDD, respectively. Group 6, 7, and 8 were subjected to 50, 500 and 1000 ng/kg of TCDD along with 10 mg/kg of lycopene, simultaneously. At the end of the experiment, the rats were decapitated, and their liver, kidney, heart and brain tissues were taken for biochemical analysis.In accordance with dose applied, TCDD decreased weight of rats considerably. It was observed that while half of the rats in the Groups 4 and 7 died, all the rats in the Groups 5 and 8 were found as dead. It was determined that MDA levels were increased significantly in Groups 4 and 5, but the application of lycopene along with TCDD decreased the MDA levels. SOD and GSH-Px activities were observed to decrease in the Groups 3 and 4, while they raised to the normal levels in the Groups 6 and 7. Although the CAT activities were detected to decrease significantly in liver, kidney and brain tissues in the Groups 3 and 4, lycopene administrations increased the CAT activities in liver and brain tissues. Tissue GSH levels were low in only TCDD administrated groups, but they were close to the normal levels in Group 6. However no significant effects were observed in Group 7.In conclusion, the results of the study showed that lycopene decreased TCDD-induced lipid peroxidation, and supported antioxidant activity. It can therefore be suggested that lycopene has the potential for the treatment against the toxicity caused by TCDD and/or other environmental contaminants.