Biyokimyasal, Moleküler ve Histopatolojik Veriler Kullanılarak Likopenin Dietilnitrozamine Bağlı Kronik Hepatotoksisite Üzerine Koruyucu ve / veya Tedavi Edici Etkilerinin Araştırılması

Abstract

The aim of the study is to investigate the role of lycopene on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced chronic hepatotoxicity using biochemical, molecular and histopathological approaches. Thirty five male Wistar albino rats were assigned into five groups of 7 rats each. Groups were formed as control, lycopene, DEN, lycopene+DEN and DEN+lycopene. Lycopene was applied to rats every other day at 10 mg/kg/bw, gavage for 10 days. DEN was applied intraperitoneally to rats at a single dose, 200 mg/kg/bw for 90 days. Lycopene administration was started 10 days before the DEN administration in lycopene+DEN group, together with the DEN administration in DEN+lycopene group. The study was terminated 90 days after DEN administration. DEN caused the oxidative stress by the increased malondialdehyde level and the decreased reduced glutathione level, antioxidant enzyme activities (p<0.001). Lycopene administration improved the biochemical indices of both blood and liver tissue compared to the DEN group. RT-PCR analysis revealed that the catalase enzyme in the DEN group increased expression levels. Histopathologically, many histopathologic changes such as karyomegaly, necrosis and hydropic degeneration were observed in the liver tissues of the DEN and lycopene+DEN groups. Both biochemical and histopathological results showed that healing of DEN+lycopene group was better than lycopene+DEN group. These results suggest that besides the protective effects, the therapeutic effect of lycopene is due to its antioxidant effects on DEN‐induced hepatotoxicity.