Lycopene restores trace element levels in ochratoxin A-treated rats

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the in vivo effects of ochratoxin A (OTA) and/or lycopene on the levels of selenium, zinc, and copper in the liver, kidneys, and testes of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were treated with OTA (0.5 mg kg-1 day-1) and/or lycopene (5 mg kg-1 day-1) by gavage for 7 or 14 days. Trace element levels were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. OTA significantly lowered selenium (20 % in the liver, 17 % in the kidney, and 40 % in the testis), zinc (24 % in the liver, 23 % in the kidney, and 26 % in the testis), and copper levels (40 % in the liver and 10 % in the kidney). Lycopene alone did not affect the trace element levels in any of the organs. In combination with OTA, however, it significantly restored liver, kidney, and testis selenium and zinc levels compared to the group treated with OTA alone. Our results have confirmed that depletion of trace elements in different organs is one of the mechanisms of action of OTA. They also suggest that lycopene interferes with this depleting effect and restores trace element levels, the implications of which need to be further investigated.

Ochratoxin A—The Current Knowledge Concerning Hepatotoxicity, Mode of Action and Possible Prevention

“…Palabiyik et al reported a significant decrease in selenium, zinc, and copper levels in OTA-treated rats. The addition of lycopene did not affect the liver zinc level, whereas it markedly increased selenium and copper compared to the group treated with OTA only [ 140 ]. While OTA increased the number of apoptotic hepatocytes in mice to 97.20 ± 17.09, lycopene could reduce their number to 8.80 ± 5.02 [ 121 ].…”

Ochratoxin A-Induced Nephrotoxicity: Up-to-Date Evidence

“…Trace elements are components of intracellular antioxidants and can maintain cellular homeostasis. Lycopene restored OTA inhibition of selenium, zinc, and copper in the kidney, liver, and testis of rats [ 107 ]. In addition to being a component of many important enzymes, Zinc can also regulate the antioxidant gene expression.…”