Hepatoprotective effects of lycopene on liver enzymes involved in methionine and xenobiotic metabolism in hyperhomocysteinemic rats

Abstract

Hyperhomocysteinemia, defined by an increased plasma homocysteine level, is commonly associated with chronic liver diseases. A link between the elevated homocysteine level and oxidative stress has been demonstrated. Indeed the pathogenesis of liver diseases in the case of hyperhomocysteinemia could be due to this production of oxidative stress. Many studies have demonstrated the antioxidative properties of lycopene, a carotenoid. Therefore, the present study was designed to induce hyperhomocysteinemia in male Wistar rats in order to analyze the effect of lycopene supplementation on homocysteine metabolism, on phase I and phase II xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme activities, and on liver injury by histological examination and analysis of biochemical markers. We found that rats with a high methionine diet showed abnormal histological features, with an increase of serum homocysteine, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, decreased hepatic cystathionine beta synthase and S-adenosyl-homocysteine hydrolase activities and an increased hepatic malondialdehyde level. We demonstrated the reversal effect of lycopene supplementation on hyperhomocysteinemia. Taken together, these findings provide additional clues on the hepatoprotective effects of lycopene.

Anti-obesity potential of Moringa olifera seed extract and lycopene on high fat diet induced obesity in male Sprauge Dawely rats

“…This data is in accordance to Emami et al, 2016 , Piña-Zentella et al, 2016 , Agrawal and Singh, 2017 , Guo et al, 2018 . Increasing MDA during obesity is an indication for extensive lipid peroxidation, which plays a crucial part in oxidative stress development and may disturb the soundness of cellular membranes ( Mozos et al, 2017 , Yefsah-Idres et al, 2016 ). Administration of Moringa olifera seed oil extract and LYC perfectly ameliorated the obesity induced oxidative stress and promoted antioxidant reserve.…”

“…Elevated liver and kidney enzymes were an expected result of increased MDA during obesity, which is an indicator for extensive lipid peroxidation. MDA plays a substantial role in oxidative stress and may disrupt the integrity of hepatic and renal cell membranes ( Mozos et al, 2017 , Yefsah-Idres et al, 2016 ), which causes leakage of their enzymes into blood. These changes were clear in histopathological sections and could be seen as hepatic vacuolar degeneration and multifocal to diffuse degeneration of renal tubular epithelium.…”

Lycopene as a Natural Antioxidant Used to Prevent Human Health Disorders

“…It decreased the levels of ALT, serum homocysteine, and AST. In addition, its hepatoprotective effect was performed by enhancing the S-adenosyl-homocysteine hydrolase, hepatic cystathionine beta-synthase activities and decreasing the level of hepatic MDA [70]. Moreover, tomato powder has been shown to have a protective agent against alcohol-induced hepatic injury by inducing cytochrome p450 2E1 [80].…”

Nutritional Importance of Carotenoids and Their Effect on Liver Health: A Review

“…A recent study showed that lycopene exerted anti-inflammatory activities against paracetamol liver injury (APAP) in C57BL/6 mice by improving the redox state [147]. Yefsah-Idres et al [148] showed that rats with a diet high in methionine content had abnormal histological features accompanied by an increase in the levels of serum homocysteine, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as MDA hepatic and a decrease in the activities of cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) and S-adenosyl-homocysteine hydrolase, indicating that lycopene supplementation reversed hyperhomocysteinemia (related to oxidative stress), providing additional evidence of the hepatoprotective effects of lycopene. Lycopene also showed beneficial effects against HCC by modulating cell proliferation, glycolysis, and ultrastructure of liver cells [149].…”