A Dose-Response Study on the Effects of Purified Lycopene Supplementation on Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress

Objective: While tomato product supplementation, containing antioxidant carotenoids, including lycopene, decreases oxidative stress, the role of purified lycopene as an antioxidant remains unclear. Thus, we tested the effects of different doses of purified lycopene supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative stress in healthy volunteers.

Methods: This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, examining the effects of 8-week supplementation of purified lycopene, on plasma lycopene levels, biomarkers of lipid peroxidation {LDL oxidizability, malondialdehyde & hydroxynonenals (MDA & HNE), urinary F₂-isoprostanes}, and markers of DNA damage in urine and lymphocytes. Healthy adults (n = 77, age ≥ 40 years), consumed a lycopene-restricted diet for 2 weeks, and were then randomized to receive 0, 6.5, 15, or 30 mg lycopene/ day for 8 weeks, while on the lycopene-restricted diet. Blood and urine samples were collected at the beginning and end of Week 2 of lycopene-restricted diet, and at end of Week 10 of the study.

Results: Independent of the dose, plasma lycopene levels significantly increased in all lycopene supplemented groups versus placebo (p < 0.05). ANOVA revealed a significant decrease in DNA damage by the comet assay (p = 0.007), and a significant decrease in urinary 8-hydroxy deoxoguanosine (8-OHdG) at 8 weeks versus baseline (p = 0.0002), with 30 mg lycopene/day. No significant inter- or intra-group differences were noted for glucose, lipid profile, or other biomarkers of lipid peroxidation at any dose/time point.

Conclusions: Thus, purified lycopene was bioavailable and was shown to decrease DNA oxidative damage and urinary 8-OHdG at the high dose.     

Airway and Circulating Levels of Carotenoids in Asthma and Healthy Controls

Background: Elevated oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defences are increasingly recognised features of asthma. Carotenoids are potent dietary antioxidants that may protect against asthma by reducing oxidative damage.

Objectives: This study aimed firstly, to characterise circulating and airway levels of carotenoids in asthma compared to healthy controls, in relation to dietary intake. Secondly, the study aimed to test whether airway lycopene defences can be improved using oral supplements.

Methods: Induced sputum and peripheral blood samples were collected from subjects with asthma (n = 15) and healthy controls (n = 16). Dietary carotenoid intakes were estimated using the 24-hour recall method and analysed using a modified version of the Foodworks 210 Nutrient Calculation Software. Another group of healthy controls (n = 9) were supplemented with 20 mg/day lycopene for 4 weeks. Carotenoids (β-carotene, lycopene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin) were measured by HPLC.

Results: Despite similar dietary intake, whole blood levels of total carotenoids, lycopene, lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene and β-carotene were significantly lower in asthma than controls. However, there were no differences in plasma or sputum carotenoid levels. Induced sputum carotenoid levels were significantly lower than plasma and whole blood levels, but correlated strongly with plasma levels (r = 0.798, p < 0.001). Although there were no overall increases in either plasma or sputum lycopene levels following supplementation, changes in airway lycopene levels correlated with changes in plasma levels (r = 0.908, p < 0.002).

Conclusions: Whole blood, but not plasma or sputum, carotenoid levels are deficient in asthma. Plasma carotenoid levels reflect airway carotenoid levels and when plasma levels are improved using oral supplements this is reflected in the airways.     

番茄红素的生理功能及其临床意义

番茄红素是一种非常重要的类胡萝卜素,具有抗氧化和清除自由基、诱导细胞间隙连接通讯、抑制肿瘤细胞增殖、增强免疫力等多种重要生物活性,在抗癌防癌、预防心脑血管疾病、保护皮肤等方面都有明显的作用,是国际上功能性食品成分研究中的一个热点。根据有关文献资料,现就番茄红素的性质、来源、体内代谢、生理功能、临床意义进行扼要的综述。     

Protective effect of lycopene on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in Cyprinus carpio during cypermethrin exposure

The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative properties of lycopene against the toxic effects of cypermethrin (CYP) by examining oxidative damage markers such as lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant defense system components in carp (Cyprinus carpio). The fish were divided into seven groups of 10 fish each and received the following treatments: group 1, no treatment; group 2, orally administered corn oil; group 3, oral lycopene (10 mg/kg body weight); group 4, exposure to 0.202 μg/L CYP; group 5, exposure to 0.202 μg/L CYP plus oral administration of 10 mg/kg lycopene; group 6, exposure to 0.404 μg/L CYP; and group 7, exposure to 0.404 μg/L CYP plus oral administration of 10 mg/kg lycopene. Treatment was continued for 28 days, and at the end of this period, blood and tissue (liver, kidney, and gill) samples were collected. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) activities were determined in blood and tissues for measurement of oxidant‐antioxidant status. MDA level, as an index of lipid peroxidation, increased in blood and tissues. Antioxidant enzyme activities in blood and tissues were modified in CYP groups compared with controls. Administration of lycopene ameliorated these parameters. The present results suggest that administration of lycopene might alleviate CYP‐induced oxidative stress. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 28:609–616, 2013.     

The role of lycopene for the amelioration of glycaemic status and peripheral antioxidant capacity among the Type II diabetes mellitus patients: a case–control study

BackgroundThe use of lycopene as a complementary medicine for Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is limited and controversial. This study evaluated the effect of lycopene intake on the changes of glycaemic status and antioxidant capacity among the T2DM patients.Patients and methodsThis case–control study involved the participation of 87 patients and 122 healthy individuals. Lycopene intake was assessed by using a food frequency questionnaire. The peripheral antioxidant capacity among the T2DM patients was evaluated. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were measured as indications of glycaemic status.ResultsPeripheral antioxidant capacity was significantly lower in the T2DM group. Direct positive correlations were found between the lycopene intake and peripheral antioxidant level among the T2DM patients. Contrarily, HbA1c and FPG levels decreased significantly with the higher lycopene intake.ConclusionsT2DM patients with a higher lycopene intake showed a greater peripheral antioxidant capacity and better glycaemic control. Lycopene may act to ameliorate oxidative stress and improve the pathophysiology of T2DM.     

番茄中番茄红素提取工艺条件的优化研究

目的：优化筛选番茄红素的最佳提取工艺。方法：利用番茄酱为原料,通过方法学验证、单因素试验、正交试验等对番茄红素的提取工艺进行研究。结果：用乙酸乙酯提取番茄红素的最佳优化工艺为：提取温度50℃,提取时间40 min,乙酸乙酯浓度80％,固液比1?2（g·mL^-1）。在此工艺下,番茄红素的提取率达15.564 mg·100g^-1。结论：优化番茄红素的提取工艺,为番茄红素的进一步开发和利用提供试验基础。     

解脂耶氏酵母异源合成番茄红素的初步研究

为了探究番茄红素在解脂耶氏酵母中的生物合成,利用两个解脂耶氏酵母整合表达质粒（单拷贝质粒pINA1269和多拷贝质粒pINA1312）,将成团泛菌来源的番茄红素生物合成基因（crtE、crtB、crtI）克隆到解脂耶氏酵母营养缺陷型宿主菌Po1f中实现多基因共表达,并成功构建了异源合成番茄红素的解脂耶氏酵母工程菌株。在hp4d启动子和XPR2终止子的控制下,本实验共构建了8个能产番茄红素的解脂耶氏酵母工程菌株;同时筛选了其中5个代表性菌株（Po1f 1269IBE 1312、Po1f 1312E 1269IB、Po1f 1312B 1269IE、Po1f 1312I 1269EB、Po1f 1312IBE 1269）基于摇瓶培养进一步研究其生长特性和产物合成情况。结果表明,工程菌Po1f 1312E 1269IB的培养可以获得最高番茄红素产量,相对于细菌干重其产量约为0.9 mg/g。