Sedigheh Asgary - Professor, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Rasool Soltani - Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center AND Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Fatemeh Daraei - Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, AND Students Research Committee, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Leila Salehizadeh - Heart Failure Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
Golnaz Vaseghi - Assistant Professor, Applied Physiology Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
Nizal Sarrafzadegan - Professor, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

BACKGROUND: Myocardial ischemia may recur in a significant subset of patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Lycopene, a carotenoid with antioxidant activity, has evidence for beneficial effects on cardiovascular system. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the possible preventive effect of lycopene against post-PCI myocardial damage by detection of cardiac biomarkers of ischemia.METHODS: A total of ۴۵ patients who planned to undergo elective PCI were randomly assigned to two groups to receive either lycopene (۳۰ mg ۱۲ hours before PCI as well as ۱۵ mg just before and ۸ hours after PCI) along with standard treatment (n = ۲۳) or only standard treatment (n = ۲۲). Standard treatment included aspirin, a statin, and a beta-blocker. The serum levels of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), troponin I, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured ۱۲ hours before and ۱۲ hours after the procedure and were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: The use of lycopene significantly prevented the increase of CK-MB following PCI compared to control (P = ۰.۰۴۸). However, it had not any significant effect on serum levels of troponin I (TnI) (P = ۰.۱۷۶) and hs-CRP (P = ۰.۱۸۶) compared to control.CONCLUSION: Lycopene can prevent the increase of CK-MB following PCI. Therefore, it has the potential for prevention of post-PCI cardiovascular events. However, more studies are needed to confirm such an effect.

Lycopene, Troponin I, Creatine Kinase-MB, High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention