Lycopene prevents cisplatin-induced liver tissue damage, without affecting concentrations of TNF-α or iNOS/NO inflammatory pathway

IntroductionLiver inflammatory response occurring after toxic chemicals injection, such as cisplatin, causes the aggravation in liver damage. Lycopene, a carotenoid, has previously been proven to possess antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antiapoptotic properties. This study objective was to evaluate for the first time the protective effects of lycopene in cisplatin-induced liver damage based on the disturbances in serum and tissue inflammatory parameters. Also, to confirm the extent of changes in inflammation of the studied tissue, a microscopic analysis will be performed.Material and methodsWistar rats were divided into four experimental groups: (I) control; (II) lycopene (2 mg/kg); (III) cisplatin (10 mg/kg) and (IV) lycopene and cisplatin-treated (2 and 10 mg/kg, respectively) animals. After the experiment, we studied changes in serum liver tissue damage associated parameters (ALT, AST, and γ-GT) and liver inflammatory parameters (NO and TNF-α concentrations, myeloperoxidase and iNOS activity, as well as CD68 expression).ResultsApplication of lycopene prevented a rise in evaluated serum parameters induced by cisplatin, while at the same time it did not cause any harmful effect by itself. Lycopene, alone or in combination with cisplatin, decreased the values of all studied liver inflammatory parameters.ConclusionsWe can conclude that lycopene does not prevent liver tissue inflammatory decalin seen after cisplatin application, however, it prevents tissue damage arising from this cytostatic application.