Hepatoprotective Potential of Lycopene in a Rat Model of Cisplatin-Induced Damage: Involvement of Oxidative Cell Damage and Glutathione Metabolism

Application of cisplatin for the treatment of various solid tumors is known to cause liver damage, through an increase in lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species production. Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant agent capable of preventing the cells damage, the formation of stronger intercellular bonds and faster cellular metabolism. This study aims to estimate the potential of lycopene in preventing cisplatin induced liver tissue damage by studying the levels of several biochemical parameters (arginase, aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity, total protein and albumin concentration) reflecting liver function and a panel of liver tissue biomarkers (xanthine oxidase, reduced glutathione, malondialdehyde, protein carbonylated concentration and diamino oxidase activity). These parameters would be studied in male Wistar rats treated with either cisplatin alone or with cisplatin and lycopene. Additionally, microscopic analysis of liver tissue would be conducted as well. Application of the combination of lycopene and cisplatin significantly prevented the disturbance in all here-studied biomarkers of liver tissue damage. Morphological liver tissue alterations followed the changes in hepatic biochemical status. Our results suggest that lycopene could act as a protective agent in cisplatin-induced liver dam age in rats.