Lycopene has reduced renal damage histopathologically and biochemically in experimental renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to investigate whether the inflammatory and antioxidant lycopene has a therapeutic effect against renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Materials and methods: In this study, 24 Wistar-Albino rats, weighing from 200 to 250?g, were divided into four groups. All rats underwent median laparotomy under anesthesia. No procedures were performed in the control group (Group C), whereas 100?mg/kg lycopene was administered by gavage in the lycopene group (Group L). The arteries of both kidneys were clamped for 45?min in the ischemia group (Group I), whereas 100?mg/kg lycopene was administered by gavage 30?min before clamping renal arteries, and ischemia was performed in the treatment group (Group T) rats. For all rats, blood samples and renal tissues were collected at 6?h of reperfusion. Samples were used to examine serum BUN, creatinine, MDA and GSH levels, and the renal tissues were used to examine MDA and GSH levels, and renal histopathologies. Results: The treatment group had statistically significant lower serum MDA levels, histopathological tubular vacuolization, loss of brush border and tubular dilatation (p?p?>?0.05). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that lycopene, which was administered prior to renal I/R injury, prevented renal damage through biochemical and histopathological parameters.