Oral Lycopene Administration Attenuates Inflammation and Oxidative Stress by Regulating Plasma Lipids in Rats with Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Epididymitis

Abstract

Purpose Epididymitis histological alterations and related long-term reproductive issues cannot be cured by antibiotics alone. Few studies have been done on the effect of lycopene on epididymitis, despite the fact that it is an efficient antioxidant. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of lycopene on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced epididymis and lipid metabolism. Methods Thirty-one 260–290g rats were separated into the blank control group (n=10), the oil-control group (n=10), the single intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg LPS (n=5), and the continuous intragastric of 5 mg/kg lycopene (n=6). The animals were euthanized after four weeks, and blood and the epididymis were removed for analysis. Results Lycopene significantly decreased IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6 and lipid peroxidation product Malondialdehyde in serum and epididymis. It significantly increased the epididymis’s antioxidant enzyme and total antioxidant capacity. According to LC-MS plasma lipidomics, lycopene increased phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, decreased phosphatidylethanolamine, triacylglycerol, and diacylglycerol levels, changed the composition of lipids, altered metabolic pathways, and these changes were related to the mechanism of anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress. 20 lipids, including PC (20:5e) and LPC (14:0), were identified through additional Spearman correlation analysis as being related to cytokines and oxidation indices. They served as possible lipid markers that may be utilized to gauge the severity of inflammation. Conclusion Lycopene has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that improve histopathological and functional damage in LPS-induced epididymitis and is an alternate supplement for treating epididymitis. Lipidomics provide new perspectives on the possible mechanism of lycopene in protecting against LPS-induced epididymitis by integrating lipid metabolism and inflammation.

Is Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Lipid Metabolism Disorder in Testis of Rats a Consequence of Plasma Lipid Changes?

“…Our other study revealed a correlation between LPS-induced differential lipids and cytokines and oxidative status indicators, indicating that the regulation of lipid content and composition to cytokines and oxidative status is the potential pathway to control epididymis inflammation and oxidative stress injury. 21 In this research, we studied the testis lipidomics, which were differentially regulated during LPS-induced systemic inflammation, including Cer, Hex2cer, DG, LPC, LPE, LPG, MG, PC, PE, PG, PI, PS, SM, TG. This forced regulation concerned the testis cytokines and ROS production.…”

Lycopene alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced testicular injury in rats by activating the PPAR signaling pathway to integrate lipid metabolism and the inflammatory response

“…LYC was found to attenuate LPS-induced epididymis injury in our previous study. And its regulatory mechanism is related to the changes of plasma lipidome (22). The present study evaluated the protective effects of LYC against impaired testicular function caused by LPSinduced systemic inflammation.…”

Effectiveness of Silymarin, Sulforaphane, Lycopene, Green Tea, Tryptophan, Glutathione, and Escin on Human Health: A Narrative Review

“…It is a bright red pigment that gives tomatoes their distinct color [33]. Lycopene has been extensively studied over the past few decades for its ability to attenuate inflammation and oxidative stress [34].…”