Are We Sentenced to Pharmacotherapy? Promising Role of Lycopene and Vitamin A in Benign Urologic Conditions

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, urolithiasis, recurrent urinary tract infections, and chronic prostatitis are diseases that are commonly diagnosed worldwide. Carotenoids, including lycopene, are widely available in fruits and vegetables, and it is postulated that they can be used in the prevention and treatment of benign urological conditions. The aim of this review is to familiarize doctors and their patients with the current knowledge on carotenoids and their conversion products in selected urological diseases. Most of the experimental and clinical trials show a moderate effect of lycopene and vitamin A on studied parameters. Lycopene was shown to improve the IPSS score in BPH patients, and alleviate symptoms in those with chronic prostatitis. Intake of Vitamin A was associated with decrease of urinary tract reinfection rates. In studied rat models retinol also decreased urolithiasis formation. Although the results of the cited studies are generally promising, it is evident that more detailed and extensive research must be done in this field of medicine.

Overview of BPH: Symptom Relief with Dietary Polyphenols, Vitamins and Phytochemicals by Nutraceutical Supplements with Implications to the Prostate Microbiome

“…Cicero et al in 2019, and Kutwin et al in 2022 published comprehensive reviews on lycopene as a dietary supplement for the treatment of LUTS/BPH [ 119 , 163 ]. In brief, oral lycopene at doses ranging from 10 mg to 500 mg, usually taken twice per day from 2 weeks to up to 6 months, in general, significantly improved LUTS/BPH symptoms (covering over 1000 subjects within an age range of 45–80 years) without adverse effects.…”

“…In brief, oral lycopene at doses ranging from 10 mg to 500 mg, usually taken twice per day from 2 weeks to up to 6 months, in general, significantly improved LUTS/BPH symptoms (covering over 1000 subjects within an age range of 45–80 years) without adverse effects. The patients were classified as having moderate or severe LUTS/BPH symptoms according to IPSS values before lycopene treatment was initiated [ 119 , 163 ]. Furthermore, other comprehensive reviews on the health benefits of lycopene have been reported elsewhere [ 159 , 160 , 161 ].…”