Lycopene supplementation reduces TNF-alpha via RAGE in the kidney of obese rats

• Grant number: 14/20248-0
• Support type: Regular Research Grants - Publications - Scientific article
• Duration: December 01, 2014 - May 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition
• Principal researcher: Camila Renata Corrêa
• Grantee: Camila Renata Corrêa
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Background: The kidney is a target organ for injuries caused by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in obesity. The receptor of AGEs (RAGE) is proinflammatory and appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of renal disease due to obesity. Objective: The aim was to verify the effect of obesity on renal damage and the effect of lycopene on these complications. Design and Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to receive a control diet (C, n=7) or a high-fat diet plus sucrose (HD+S, n=14) for 6 weeks. After this period, the HD+S animals were randomized into two groups: HD+S (n=7) and HD+S supplemented with lycopene (HD+S+ L, n=7). The animals received maize oil (C and HD+S) or lycopene (HD+S+L) for a six-week period. Results: The HD+S and HD+S+L animals demonstrated insulin resistance (OGTT glucose after 150 min; C: 117.6±3.9 < HD+S: 138.1±5.1 = HD+S+L: 137.8±5.2 mg/dL; p=0.01); however, no changes were seen in fasting glucose, plasma lipids, blood pressure or renal function. Renal concentrations of RAGE and TNF-± increased in the HD+S group and lycopene supplementation restored these to control group values (RAGE: C: 3.1±0.3 = DH+S+L: 3.1±0.3 < DH+S: 3.6±0.4 µg/g; p=0.014; TNF-±: C: 227.8±2.7 = DH+S+L: 227.4±2.2 < DH+S: 238.7±3.0 pg/mL; p=0.014). Conclusions: Lycopene may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress and inflammation in the kidney due to obesity. (AU)