Effect of Eight Weeks of Lycopene Supplementation on Oxidative Stress and Adiponectin Gene Expression in Rats with Fatty Liver Disease

Background: Increased consumption of fat and sugar has been linked to obesity and diseases like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Lycopene (LYC), an antioxidant, has been studied for its potential in protecting against fatty liver damage. This study aims to investigate how lycopene affects the antioxidant system and the expression of the adiponectin gene in rats with fatty liver disease. Methods: Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, n=۸), high fat diet (HFD, n=۸), and lycopene (HFD+LYC, n=۸). The lycopene group received a solution containing ۱۰۰ mg/kg of lycopene three days a week, while the other groups received standard food for eight weeks via gavage. The levels of adiponectin gene expression in the liver were assessed using the real time PCR method. Additionally, the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the serum were measured using ELISA. Results: Although lycopene did not have a significant therapeutic effect on malondialdehyde (MDA) compared HFD group (P=۰.۶۱۰۳), it improved the levels of the SOD enzyme and the expression of the adiponectin gene compared with HFD group (P=۰.۰۰۰۲, P=۰.۰۰۰۱). This was a significant decrease in collagen deposition in liver tissue of HFD+LYC group compared to HFD group (P<۰.۰۰۰۱). Conclusion: Lycopene demonstrates the potential as a therapeutic option for NAFLD. However, more trials are needed to support this idea.

کلیدواژه ها:

SOD ، MDA ، Lycopene ، Liver ، Antioxidant ، Adiponectin ، Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ، Oxidative stress.