Effects of Lycopene Attenuating Injuries in Ischemia and Reperfusion

Abstract

Tissue and organ ischemia can lead to cell trauma, tissue necrosis, irreversible damage, and death. While intended to reverse ischemia, reperfusion can further aggravate an ischemic injury (ischemia-reperfusion injury, I/R injury) through a range of pathologic processes. An I/R injury to one organ can also harm other organs, leading to systemic multiorgan failure. A type of carotenoid, lycopene, has been shown to treat and prevent many diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, male infertility, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular disease), making it a hot research topic in health care. Some recent researches have suggested that lycopene can evidently ameliorate ischemic and I/R injuries to many organs, but few clinical studies are available. Therefore, it is essential to review the effects of lycopene on ischemic and I/R injuries to different organs, which may help further research into its potential clinical applications.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic targets

“…Studies by Zhao et al 509 and Li et al 510 reported the beneficial effects of TCM components such as Astragalus, 511 , 512 Salvia Miltiorrhiza, 513 , 514 Angelica Sinensis, 515 , 516 Harpagide, 517 Icariin, 518 pachymic acid. 519 Zhao et al 509 and Li et al 510 have shown that treatment with Astragalus, 511 , 512 Salvia Miltiorrhiza, 513 , 514 Angelica Sinensis, 515 , 516 Harpagide, 517 Icariin, 518 pachymic acid, 519 and Lycopene 197 , 520 , 521 confer therapeutic effects against I/R injury in the heart, brain, and other organs. Moreover, Zhao et al 509 reported that TCM like Tricin, 522 Platycodin D, 523 Baicalein, 524 Lupeol, 525 Paeoniflorin, 526 and Bauhinia Championii 527 could activate the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and mitigate brain I/R injury.…”

The Importance of Antioxidant Activity for the Health-Promoting Effect of Lycopene

“…Lycopene is a lipophilic compound, so the presence of fat in food enhances its absorption [24]. Its absorption is hampered by dietary fiber and beta-carotene [25]. After absorption from food, it is mainly stored in the liver, prostate, and adrenals.…”

“…It is also present in lower concentrations, e.g., in the brain and skin [3,26]. The adipose tissue contains more lycopene than serum because it is a lipophilic compound [25]. The average serum concentration is 0.2-1.0 µmol/L [27].…”