The relationship between tomato intake and congestive heart failure risk in periodontitis subjects

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between monthly tomato consumption (MTC) and serum lycopene (sLyco) levels, and a self-reported history of congestive heart failure (CHF) in individuals with periodontitis using data available in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III). METHODS: Adult participants in NHANES III were used in this study. Zero to thirty three percent of sites with a periodontal attachment loss (PAL) of >3 mm was considered a healthy periodontium, while greater than >33% of sites with PAL of >3 mm as periodontitis. The outcome variable was the self-reported history of CHF. MTC and sLyco levels were categorized into quartiles. Data was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis, anova and multivariate analyses using SPSS(R). p<0.05 was used to reject the null hypothesis. RESULTS: Individuals with periodontitis showed a dose-response relationship between dietary MTC and self-reported CHF risk; moderate MTC (risk ratio (RR), 3.15; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03-9.67), low MTC (RR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.33-8.24) (p<0.05) and very low MTC (RR, 5.10; 95% CI, 1.67-15.57) (p<0.01), adjusting for confounders of both diseases (periodontitis and CHF). The moderate sLyco level-healthy periodontium group showed a significant decrease in CHF risk (RR, 0.25; 95% CI, 0.07-0.84) (p<0.05), adjusting for confounders. Significant inverse dose-response relationships were seen between sLyco and C-reactive protein, and MTC and white blood cell count in periodontitis subjects, respectively (p<0.05). MTC was correlated with sLyco concentration (r=-0.018, p<0.05), adjusting for confounders abolished that significance. CONCLUSIONS: A relationship exists between periodontitis and CHF risk, and high MTC appears to affect this relationship in a positive direction in periodontitis subjects.     

Brief Report: Towards a dietary prevention of hereditary breast cancer

Inheritance of a deleterious mutation in BRCA1 or BRCA2 confers a high lifetime risk of developing breast cancer. Variation in penetrance between individuals suggests that factors other than the gene mutation itself may influence the risk of cancer in susceptible women. Several risk factors have been identified which implicate estrogen-induced growth stimulation as a probable contributor to breast cancer pre-disposition. The protein products of both of these genes appear to help preserve genomic integrity via their participation in the DNA damage response and repair pathways. To date, the evidence for a cancer-protective role of dietary nutrients, for the most part those with antioxidant properties, has been based on women without any known genetic pre-disposition and it is important to identify and evaluate dietary factors which may modify the risk of cancer in BRCA carriers. Here we propose that diet modification may modulate the risk of hereditary breast cancer by decreasing DNA damage (possibly linked to estrogen exposure) or by enhancing DNA repair. The prevention of hereditary breast cancer through diet is an attractive complement to current management strategies and deserves exploration.     

Cancer Mortality and Serum Levels of Carotenoids,Retinol, and Tocopherol: a Population-based Follow-up Study of Inhabitants of a Rural Area of Japan

A total of 3,182 subjects (1,239 males and 1,943 females) aged from 39y to 79y, were recruited from the inhabitants ‍of a rural area in Japan who participated in health check-up programs from 1988 to 1995. During the 10.5 year ‍follow-up, 287 deaths (175 males and 112 females) from all causes, 134 (81 males and 53 females) from cancer of all ‍sites, 31 from lung cancer, 21 from colorectal cancer, 20 from stomach cancer, and 62 from other cancers, were ‍identified among the cohort subjects. Fasting serum samples were taken at the time of the health check-ups, and ‍serum levels of carotenoids, retinol and tocopherols were separately determined by HPLC. Statistical analyses were ‍performed using Cox’s proportional hazard model after adjusting for sex, age, and other confounding factors. High ‍serum levels of á- and â- carotenes and lycopene were found to marginally significantly or significantly reduce the ‍risk for mortality rates of cancer of all sites and of colorectal cancers. High serum levels of â-cryptoxanthin also ‍showed an inversely relation with the risk of mortality from lung and stomach cancers, but this was not statistically ‍significant. High intake of green-yellow vegetables contributing to serum levels of á- and â- carotenes, as well as ‍lycopene, may reduce the risk of cancer mortality, especially from colorectal cancer, in rural Japanese.     

番茄油树脂成分分析及番茄红素的稳定性

对番茄油树脂中的脂肪酸组成和类胡萝卜素进行了分析测定,并研究了番茄油树脂在贮存过程中番茄红素的稳定性.结果表明,番茄油树脂中含有较多的脂肪酸甘油酯(65%)和不皂化物(27%),主要含不饱和脂肪酸(74%～75%),其中亚油酸质量分数为51%～52%,油酸质量分数为22%～23%.番茄油树脂中类胡萝卜素主要是番茄红素,另外有少量的β-胡萝卜素.番茄油树脂贮存过程中番茄红素较为稳定,贮存条件以避光充氮效果最好.     

Anti/genotoxic,longevity inductive,cytotoxic, and clastogenic‐related bioactivities of tomato and lycopene

The aim of this study was to evaluate some biological activities of tomato as well as lycopene and to consider a new nutraceutic value for this fruit regarding to the protection against genetic damage and as a chemopreventive agent. Genotoxicity, DNA‐protection against hydrogen peroxide, and lifespan properties of tomato and lycopene were assessed through wing spot test and longevity assay using the Drosophila in vivo model. Additionally, chemopreventive activity was investigated through cytotoxicity, DNA‐fragmentation comet and annexin V FITC/PI assays using HL60 in vitro model. Results showed that: (i) tomato and lycopene are not genotoxic and protect against H₂O₂‐induced damage; (ii) with respect to the lifespan, tomato and lycopene are harmless at the lowest concentration; (iii) tomato is cytotoxic in a dose‐dependent manner, but not lycopene; (iv) tomato and lycopene do not induce internucleosomal DNA‐fragmentation although they induce significant clastogenic activity at low level in the leukemia cells. To sum up, tomato is a good candidate to be considered as a nutraceutical substance. Furthermore, synergistic action among other components within tomato matrix could be the cause of the health effects observed in this vegetable, which are not fully explained by lycopene. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:427–437, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Functional foods,herbs and nutraceuticals: towards biochemical mechanisms of healthy aging

Aging is associated with mitochondrial dysfunctions, which trigger membrane leakage, release of reactive species from oxygen and nitrogen and subsequent induction of peroxidative reactions that result in biomolecules' damaging and releasing of metals with amplification of free radicals discharge. Free radicals induce neuronal cell death increasing tissue loss, which could be associated with memory detriment. These pathological events are involved in cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and carcinogenic processes. Dietary bioactive compounds from different functional foods, herbs and nutraceuticals (ginseng, ginkgo, nuts, grains, tomato, soy phytoestrogens, curcumin, melatonin, polyphenols, antioxidant vitamins, carnitine, carnosine, ubiquinone, etc.) can ameliorate or even prevent diseases. Protection from chronic diseases of aging involves antioxidant activities, mitochondrial stabilizing functions, metal chelating activities, inhibition of apoptosis of vital cells, and induction of cancer cell apoptosis. Functional foods and nutraceuticals constitute a great promise to improve health and prevent aging-related chronic diseases.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

番茄红素减轻糖尿病大鼠视网膜病变的作用及机制

目的 研究番茄红素(lycopene, LP)对大鼠糖尿病视网膜病变(diabetic retinopathy, DR)的作用及相关机制。方法 采用一次性腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(56 mg/kg)进行建模,并将成功建立的20只DR模型随机分为DR组和LP组,每组10只;另设10只正常大鼠为对照组(NC组)。LP组给予LP灌胃(60 mg/kg)治疗,NC组和DR组给予等量生理盐水灌胃,每日1次。干预8周后,放射免疫测定法测定各组大鼠血清中内皮素(endothelin,ET)和降钙素基因相关蛋白(calcitonin gene related protein,CGRP)的含量,免疫组化和蛋白质印迹法检测各组大鼠视网膜中血管内皮生长因子(vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)的表达。结果 与NC组比较,DR组的ET含量增高、CGRP含量降低、VEGF的表达增加(P<0.05);与DR组比较,LP组的ET含量降低、CGRP含量增加、VEGF的表达降低(P<0.05)。结论 LP通过降低DR大鼠血清ET含量、提高CGRP含量、下调视网膜中VEGF的表达而减轻大鼠DR。     

Lycopene can reduce prostate-specific antigen velocity in a phase II clinical study in Chinese population

Background Epidemiological studies have shown that lycopene has anti-prostate cancer effect.In vitro tests also confirmed that it can promote apoptosis of prostate cancer cells.We investigated the effect of whole-tomato supplement lycopene on the prostate-specific antigen velocity in selected prostate cancer patients.Methods Twenty selected prostate cancer patients were given whole-tomato supplement lycopene 10 mg per day for about 6 months.Blood samples of patients were collected weekly to measure serum prostate-specific antigen （PSA） values.PSA velocity slope,which reflects the change of PSA,and the degree of change were also calculated.By comparing the values of average PSA velocity slope （rise or fall of PSA） before and after the administration of lycopene,the effect of lycopene can be evaluated.Blood chemistry analysis was regular followed as safety control.Results Three patients in the research group withdrew within 3 weeks because of inability to conform.The rest 17 patients continued for an average period of 6 months.Two patients withdrew because of cancer progression （PSA rise） who later received active treatment.The average fall in PSA was equivalent to 2.56% over （i.e.an average slope/d of -0.000 28） the first 3 months.In the last 3 months,average fall in PSA was equivalent to 31.58% （i.e.an average slope/d of-0.003 51）.The Wilcoxon rank-sum test showed a statistically significant decrease of PSA velocity slope overall （P=0.000 9）.Analysis of the PSA doubling time （pre-vs.post-treatment） showed a median increase over 3 months but this was not statistically significant （P=0.21）.No toxic side effect was observed during the whole process.The results indicate that the average PSA change is ＂decline＂ in patients,and the degree of the decline is accelerated.Conclusion Administration of lycopene was able to reduce PSA velocity in this study group.     

Antioxidant activity of topically applied lycopene

BACKGROUND: Ultraviolet (UV) rays cause depletion of the antioxidant substances contained in the epidermis. This is the rationale for the use of topical antioxidant substances. METHODS: We studied the protective activity against UV radiation of a product based on lycopene and a product containing a mixture of vitamins E and C. Photostimulation was applied with a solar simulator and the cutaneous response was evaluated instrumentally. RESULTS: The lycopene-based product had a much greater protective ability than the product containing the mixture of vitamins. CONCLUSIONS: Lycopene has suitable characteristics to be used successfully in the prevention of cutaneous damage by free radicals. Its antioxidant ability is probably due to its high reductive power.     

Chemoprevention of photocarcinogenesis by lycopene

This review focuses on the photoprotection conferred by lycopene, one of the most potent anti‐oxidants. Lycopene has been recently proposed to play a critical role on anticarcinogenic action at different levels. The photoprotective properties of lycopene remain contradictory. Some studies point out a positive and others a negative effect in both in vitro and in vivo models. Currently, researchers recognise that crucial gaps exist in understanding the role of carotenoids as effective modulators of apoptosis, cell cycle dynamics and/or of their in vivo behaviour as cellular anti‐oxidants. The development of novel therapeutic strategies for skin disorders depends on our understanding of the molecular mechanism of UV damage on skin cells. The use of several effective phytocompounds, including lycopene, working through preventive and/or corrective pathways in the cell, may be an approach for reducing UV‐B‐generated damage.