Lycopene ameliorates hyperlipidemia via potentiation of AMP-activated protein kinase and inhibition of ATP-citrate lyase in diabetic hyperlipidemic rat model.

AIM

The present study aimed mainly to demonstrate the metabolic effects of lycopene (LYC) or atorvastatin (ATOR) in diabetic hyperlipidemic rat model.

MAIN METHODS

Rats were randomly classified into four groups; the first was fed normal chow diet (NC) while the other three groups received streptozotocin (STZ) along with CCT-diet. The second group received no treatment (diabetic hyperlipidemic control, DHC), the third one received ATOR (50 mg/kg/day) while the fourth one received LYC (20 mg/kg/day). Serum and tissue samples were collected for biochemical and histological evaluations.

KEY FINDINGS

DHC rats demonstrated significant hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, increased hepatic fatty acid synthetase (FAS), malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α), 3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and ATP citrate lyase (ACLY). However, hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) and phosphorylated form of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK-P) activities showed significant decreases. ATOR or LYC administration induced hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects; decreased hepatic levels of MDA, TNF-α, HMG-CoA reductase, ACLY and FAS along with GSH and AMPK-P increases. Histopathological findings showed clear correlation with the biomarkers results.

SIGNIFICANCE

LYC demonstrated favorable significant effects regarding the biomarkers studied as compared to ATOR and may be expressed as a potent therapeutic agent of natural origin for hyperlipidemia complications either alone or in combination with other hypolipidemic drugs.