Protective effects of lycopene on TiO₂ nanoparticle‐induced damage in the liver of mice

Abstract

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano‐TiO2) is one of the most widely used and produced nanomaterials. Studies have demonstrated that nano‐TiO2 could induce hepatotoxicity through oxidative stress, and lycopene has strong antioxidant capacity. The present study aimed to explore if lycopene protects the liver of mice from nano‐TiO2 damage. Ninety‐six ICR mice were randomly divided into eight groups. They were control group, nano‐TiO2‐treated group (50 mg/kg BW), lycopene‐treated groups (5, 20, and 40 mg/kg BW), and 50 mg/kg BW nano‐TiO2‐ and lycopene‐co‐treated groups (nano‐TiO2 + 5 mg/kg BW of lycopene, nano‐TiO2 + 20 mg/kg BW of lycopene, nano‐TiO2 + 40 mg/kg BW of lycopene). After treated by gavage for 30 days, the histopathology of the liver was observed. Liver function was evaluated using changes in serum biochemical indicators of the liver (AST, ALT, ALP); and the level of ROS was indirectly reflected by the level of SOD, GSH‐Px, MDA, GSH, and T‐AOC. TUNEL assay was performed to examine the apoptosis of hepatocytes. Proteins of p53, cleaved‐caspase 9, cleaved‐caspase 3, Bcl‐2, and Bax as well as p38 were detected. Results showed that lycopene alleviated the liver pathological damage and reduced the injury to liver function induced by nano‐TiO2, as well as decreased nano‐TiO2‐induced ROS. Meanwhile, lycopene mitigated apoptosis resulting from nano‐TiO2, accompanied by the reversed expression of apoptosis‐related proteins. Furthermore, lycopene significantly reversed the upregulation of p‐p38 induced by nano‐TiO2. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that nano‐TiO2 resulted in hepatocyte apoptosis through ROS/ROS‐p38 MAPK pathway and led to liver function injury. Lycopene protected mice liver against the hepatotoxicity of nano‐TiO2 through antioxidant property.

Lycopene from Red Guava (Psidium guajava L.): From Hepatoprotective Effect to Its Use as Promising Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System for Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Applications

“…In addition, lycopene has also been shown to modulate apoptosis pathways, which play an important role in liver injury. Indeed, a recent study demonstrated that lycopene was able to inhibit apoptosis in the liver by reducing the expression of apoptosis-related proteins [ 36 ].…”

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

“…Researchers observed an increase in the liver in TAC and GSH levels and an increase in GSH-Px and SOD activity. They also observed a decrease in liver MDA levels [105]. Bandeira et al [106], in a study on C57BL/6 mice with liver damage caused by acetaminophen, showed the antioxidant effect of lycopene.…”

“…Chang et al [105] studied the effect of lycopene on liver damage in SPF-grade ICR mice caused by TiO 2 nanoparticles. The studied carotenoid showed antioxidant properties.…”

The toxicological effects of nano titanium dioxide on target organs and mechanisms of toxicity

“…gavaged for 30 days in ICR mice and induced apoptosis of hepatocytes through the ROS/ROS‐p38 MAPK pathway, resulting in liver function damage. And lycopene with strong antioxidant capacity protected the mouse liver from the hepatotoxicity of TiO 2 NPs through antioxidant properties (Chang et al, 2023). Therefore, oxidative stress is involved in liver damage caused by TiO 2 NPs, thereby causing damage to other organs.…”