Lycopene Supplementation Attenuates Oxidative Stress, Neuroinflammation, and Cognitive Impairment in Aged CD-1 Mice

Abstract

The carotenoid pigment lycopene (LYC) possesses several properties, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. This study examined the effects of dietary supplementation with LYC on age-induced cognitive impairment, and the potential underlying mechanisms. Behavioral tests revealed that chronic LYC supplementation alleviated age-associated memory loss and cognitive defects. Histological and immunofluorescence-staining results indicated that LYC treatment reversed age-associated neuronal damage and synaptic dysfunctions in the brain. Additionally, LYC supplementation decreased age-associated oxidative stress via suppression of malondialdehyde levels, which increased glutathione, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities and the levels of antioxidant-enzyme mRNAs, including those of heme oxygenase 1 and NAD-(P)-H-quinone oxidoreductase-1. Furthermore, LYC supplementation significantly reduced age-associated neuroinflammation by inhibiting microgliosis (Iba-1) and downregulating related inflammatory mediators. Moreover, LYC lowered the accumulation of Aβ in the brains of aged CD-1 mice. Therefore, LYC has the potential for use in the treatment of several age-associated chronic diseases.

Lycopene attenuates chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation via the interaction of NF‐κB, MAPKs, and Nrf2 signaling pathways in rats

“…Thereafter, GSH‐PX and CAT can transform the resultant hydrogen peroxide into water, so as to protect cells from OS‐induced injury. In this study, our findings suggested that LYC increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes (including CAT, SOD, and GSH‐PX), which were the redox protectors and mitigated OS . Therefore, SOD, CAT, and GSH‐PX indirectly reflect the oxidation resistance.…”

Lycopene as a Natural Antioxidant Used to Prevent Human Health Disorders

“…Furthermore, lycopene consumption considerably reduced age-related neuroinflammatory disorders by decreasing microgliosis (IBA-1), as well as down-regulating inflammatory mediators. In addition, a study revealed that lycopene down-regulates the Aβ1-42 accumulation in the brains of aged CD-1 mice [62]. Similarly, lycopene (0.03% w/w) has been found to inhibit the LPS (0.25 mg/kg)-induced memory loss in 3-month old male C57BL/6J mice by reducing Aβ accumulation, APP, reducing the expression of neuronal β-secretase beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), and improving the α-secretase A disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10 (ADAM10) expressions.…”

Multi‐Omics Analysis of the Effects of Egg Ovotransferrin on the Gut Environment in Mice: Mucosal Gene Expression, Microbiota Composition, and Intestinal Structural Homeostasis

“…The quantitative real‐time PCR analysis was performed according to previous literature [ 16 ] with the gene‐specific primers shown in Table 1 . Ct values were normalized to glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH).…”