In investigation of possible protective effects of lycopene on cisplatin and carboplatin-induced thrombocytopenia in rats

In this study, the protective effects of lycopene in rats with thrombocytopenia were investigated with platinum-derived antineoplastic drugs cisplatin and carboplatin. For the experiment, 4-6 months old Spraq-Dawley male rats weighing 250-300 g were used. A total of 48 rats were divided into 8 groups with 6 animals in each group. Group 1 (Control), Group 2 (Cisplatin; 5 mg/kg IM, two doses 4 days apart), Group 3 (Carboplatin; 60 mg/kg single dose), Group 4 (Lycopene; 4 mg/kg orally) , Group 5 (cisplatin + lycopene), Group 6 (Carboplatin + Lycopene) were administered in the same dosage regimen. Group 7 (Cisplatin + Dexamethasone; 1 mg/kg, IM) and Group 8 (Carboplatin + Dexamethasone) were divided into groups. At the end of the study, blood samples (2 ml) were taken from the heart into tubes with anticoagulants. Bone and bone marrow were taken from the decapitated animals. Oxidative stress parameters (MDA, CAT, GSH, GSHPx) in the blood, especially platelet counts, were determined spectrophotometrically. Histopathological analyzes of bone marrow and spleen tissue samples were performed with routine procedures. As a result, when Group 2 (Cisplatin) and Group 3 (Carboplatin) applied groups were compared with Group 1 (Control) group, a significant increase in plasma MDA level, a significant decrease in blood and GSH levels, CAT, GSH-Px and activities were observed (p<0.001). When Group 5 (Cisplatin + Lycopene) and Group 6 (Carboplatin + Lycopene) applied groups were compared with Group 1 (Control) group, a statistically significant decrease was found in MDA levels, and an increase in GSH levels, CAT, GSH-Px, and activities (p< 0.001). When Group 7 (Cisplatin + Dexamethasone) and Group 8 (Carboplatin + Dexamethasone) were compared with Group 2 (Cisplatin) and Group 3 (Carboplatin), respectively, this difference was not significant. In all experimental groups, hypoplasia in the bone marrow was the main change that was noteworthy in general. Bone marrow hypoplasia, generally related to a decrease in myelopoiesis and megakaryocytes, was noted in the groups treated with Group 2 (Cisplatin) and Group 3 (Carboplatin) alone. In addition to the changes mentioned above, dexamethasone applications were found to cause a decrease in erythropoiesis and further increase the severity of hypoplasia (P˂0.001). It was determined that lycopene applications did not have any effect on hypoplastic changes. In this study, when Group 2 (Cisplatin) and Group 3 (Carboplatin) groups were compared with Group 1 (Control), a significant decrease in platelet count was observed (p<0.001). When Group 4 (Lycopene), Group 5 (Cisplatin + Lycopene) and Group 6 (Carboplatin + Lycopene) applied groups were compared, respectively, Group 2 (Cisplatin) and Group 3 (Carboplatin) groups, it was determined that lycopene decreased the platelet count significantly (p<0.001). The effect of dexamethasone on platelet count was not found significant.