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Nutrients Feb 2022Benign prostatic hyperplasia, urolithiasis, recurrent urinary tract infections, and chronic prostatitis are diseases that are commonly diagnosed worldwide. Carotenoids,... (Review)
Review
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.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms; Lycopene; Male; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Prostatitis; Rats; Urologic Diseases; Vitamin A
PubMed: 35215508
DOI: 10.3390/nu14040859 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Apr 2022Nutrition is of utmost importance in chronic disease management and has often been described as the cornerstone of a variety of non-communicable diseases. In particular,... (Review)
Review
Nutrition is of utmost importance in chronic disease management and has often been described as the cornerstone of a variety of non-communicable diseases. In particular, type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a prevalent and global public health crisis. Lycopene, a bright red carotenoid hydrocarbon found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, has been extensively studied for its biological activities and treatment efficiency in diabetes care. Epidemiological investigations indicate that lycopene has potential antioxidant properties, is capable of scavenging reactive species, and alleviates oxidative stress in T2DM patients. This review aims to summarize the characteristics and mechanisms of action of lycopene as a potent antioxidant for T2DM. In addition, the evidence demonstrating the effects of lycopene on glycemic control and oxidative stress biomarkers in T2DM are also highlighted using animal and human studies as literature approach.
Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Carotenoids; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Lycopene; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 35408734
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072335 -
Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias 2022Lycopene is a hydrocarbon-carotenoid commonly found in red fruits intake with major function correlated to antioxidative capacity in several pathological conditions,...
Lycopene is a hydrocarbon-carotenoid commonly found in red fruits intake with major function correlated to antioxidative capacity in several pathological conditions, including cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Recently, lycopene has been associated with hematopoiesis, although the effects on B lymphocyte differentiation and antibody production are poorly understood. In this work, the principal aim was to investigate whether lycopene affects B lymphopoiesis and terminal differentiation into plasma cells. Distinct in vivo and in vitro strategies based on lycopene supplementation were used direct in Balb/c mice or in culture systems with cells derived of these mice. In the bone marrow, lycopene expanded B220+IgM- progenitor B cells and B220+IgM+ immature B lymphocytes. In the spleen, lycopene induced terminal CD138+ plasma cell generation. In the blood, we found prominent IgA and low IgM levels after lycopene administration. Interestingly, the pattern of peritoneal IgM+ and IgA+ B cells indicated a significant IgM-to-IgA class switching after lycopene injection. These data indicated that lycopene induces B cell differentiation into IgA-producing plasma cells. Thus, a new cellular function has been attributed to lycopene for B lymphocyte biology and possibly associated with humoral responses and mucosal immunity.
Topics: Animals; Bone Marrow; Bone Marrow Cells; Cell Differentiation; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin M; Lycopene; Lymphopoiesis; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C
PubMed: 36197357
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765202220210002 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) May 2022Foods rich in antioxidants such as lycopene have a major role in maintaining cardiac health. Lycopene, 80% of which can be obtained by consuming a common vegetable such... (Review)
Review
Foods rich in antioxidants such as lycopene have a major role in maintaining cardiac health. Lycopene, 80% of which can be obtained by consuming a common vegetable such as tomato, can prevent the disturbances that contribute to cardiovascular disease (CVD). The present work begins with a brief introduction to CVD and lycopene and its various properties such as bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, etc. In this review, the potential cardio-protective effects of lycopene that reduce the progression of CVD and thrombotic complications are detailed. Further, the protective effects of lycopene including in vitro, in vivo and clinical trials conducted on lycopene for CVD protective effects are explained. Finally, the controversial aspect of lycopene as a protective agent against CVD and toxicity are also mentioned.
Topics: Antioxidants; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotenoids; Heart Disease Risk Factors; Humans; Lycopene; Risk Factors
PubMed: 35630709
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27103235 -
Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism 2012Increased ingestion of tomato, containing lycopene, has been associated with a decreased risk for atherosclerosis, although the exact molecular mechanism is still... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND/AIMS
Increased ingestion of tomato, containing lycopene, has been associated with a decreased risk for atherosclerosis, although the exact molecular mechanism is still unknown. Here we review the available evidence for a direct regulation of tomato lycopene on cholesterol metabolism using results from experimental and human studies.
RESULTS
In human macrophages lycopene dose dependently reduced intracellular total cholesterol. Such an effect was associated with a decrease in cholesterol synthesis through a reduction of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity and expression, a modulation of low- density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase activity. An increase in cholesterol efflux through an enhancement of ABCA1 and caveolin-1 expression was also observed. In animal models of atherosclerosis, lycopene and tomato products decreased plasma total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. In agreement with the experimental results, most human intervention trials analyzed show that dietary supplementation with lycopene and/or tomato products reduced plasma LDL cholesterol dependently on the dose and the time of administration.
CONCLUSIONS
Although lycopene and tomato products seem to possess direct hypocholesterolemic properties, more experimental studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms involved. There is also a need for more well-designed human dietary intervention studies to better clarify the role of lycopene as a hypocholesterolemic agent.
Topics: Animals; Atherosclerosis; Carotenoids; Dietary Supplements; Disease Models, Animal; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Lipid Metabolism; Lipoproteins, HDL; Lipoproteins, LDL; Lycopene; Solanum lycopersicum; Oxidation-Reduction; Plant Extracts
PubMed: 22965217
DOI: 10.1159/000342077 -
The Journal of General and Applied... Jun 2020Cyanobacteria are oxygenic photoautotrophic prokaryotes containing chlorophylls and carotenoids, and the latter play important roles in light-harvesting, protection of... (Review)
Review
Cyanobacteria are oxygenic photoautotrophic prokaryotes containing chlorophylls and carotenoids, and the latter play important roles in light-harvesting, protection of excess light, assembly of pigment-protein complexes, and stabilization of lipid membranes. Cyanobacteria produce many kinds of carotenoids, such as β-carotene, zeaxanthin, echinenone, and myxol glycosides, which have a cyclic structure at one or both end(s). Cyclization of lycopene is a branch point in carotenoid biosynthesis to β-carotene and γ-carotene. Two types of lycopene cyclases, CruA/CruP-type and CrtL-type, are functionally confirmed in only five species, while homologous genes are found in the genomes of most cyanobacteria. This review summarizes the carotenogenesis pathways and the functional enzymes along with genes, focusing particularly on the cyclization of lycopene by distinct types of lycopene cyclases in cyanobacteria.
Topics: Bacterial Proteins; Biosynthetic Pathways; Cyanobacteria; Intramolecular Lyases; Lycopene; Phylogeny
PubMed: 32224594
DOI: 10.2323/jgam.2020.01.005 -
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease : JAD 2023Oxidative stress contributes to pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Higher levels of the dietary antioxidants- carotenoids and tocopherols- are... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Oxidative stress contributes to pathogenesis and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Higher levels of the dietary antioxidants- carotenoids and tocopherols- are associated with better cognitive functions and lower risk for AD, and lower levels of multiple carotenoids are found in serum and plasma of patients with AD. Although brains donated by individuals with mild cognitive impairment had significantly lower levels of lutein and beta-carotene, previous investigators found no significant difference in carotenoid levels of brains with AD and cognitively normal brains.
OBJECTIVE
This study tested the hypothesis that micronutrients are significantly lower in donor brains with AD than in healthy elderly brains.
METHODS
Samples of donor brains with confirmed AD or verified health were dissected into grey and white matter, extracted with organic solvents and analyzed by HPLC.
RESULTS
AD brains had significantly lower levels of lutein, zeaxanthin, anhydrolutein, retinol, lycopene, and alpha-tocopherol, and significantly increased levels of XMiAD, an unidentified xanthophyll metabolite. No meso-zeaxanthin was detected. The overlapping protective roles of xanthophylls, carotenes, α- and γ-tocopherol are discussed.
CONCLUSION
Brains with AD had substantially lower concentrations of some, but not all, xanthophylls, carotenes, and tocopherols, and several-fold higher concentrations of an unidentified xanthophyll metabolite increased in AD (XMiAD).
Topics: Humans; Aged; Vitamin A; Tocopherols; Xanthophylls; Lycopene; Lutein; Alzheimer Disease; Zeaxanthins; White Matter; Carotenoids; Antioxidants; Brain
PubMed: 35988225
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-220460 -
Acta Biochimica Polonica 2012Lycopene is the most abundant carotenoid found in tomatoes and thus has been touted as the bioactive component for the reduced risk of chronic diseases such as prostate... (Review)
Review
Lycopene is the most abundant carotenoid found in tomatoes and thus has been touted as the bioactive component for the reduced risk of chronic diseases such as prostate cancer. We and others hypothesize that lycopene metabolites are responsible for positively modulating biomarkers and risk factors for the prevention of chronic diseases. Lycopene metabolites circulate in serum and accumulate in tissues at concentrations equivalent to bioactive retinoids. Recent studies report that lycopene metabolites reduce the proliferation of cancer cells, induce apoptosis, enhance gap junction communication between cells, alter normal cell cycle progression, and modulate androgen signaling pathways. Here we review recent literature and provide new evidence to suggest that lycopene metabolites may be bioactive at physiological concentrations.
Topics: Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Apoptosis; Carotenoids; Humans; Lycopene; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms; beta-Carotene 15,15'-Monooxygenase
PubMed: 22428115
DOI: No ID Found -
Analytical Chemistry Mar 2022The ability to monitor the uptake and distribution of food nutrients in cell culture models is key to understanding the efficacy of these nutraceuticals to treat and...
The ability to monitor the uptake and distribution of food nutrients in cell culture models is key to understanding the efficacy of these nutraceuticals to treat and prevent disease. Lycopene is a carotenoid found in chloroplasts and chromoplasts of tomatoes, providing the familiar red color, and a bioactive that inhibits prostate carcinogenesis. We employed live-cell Raman microscopy to visualize lycopene delivery from tween 80 micelles into PC-3 prostate cancer cells. The tween 80 micelle provides a mimic of natural lipoprotein complexes that deliver lycopene , overcomes the low aqueous solubility of lycopene and challenges replicating physiological uptake to cells, and provides a stable signal to assess cellular uptake of the nutraceutical formulation. The Raman images indicate subcellular localization of the lycopene within the cells. The lycopene Raman signal is resonantly enhanced at an excitation wavelength of 532 nm, providing a convenient, sensitive, and label-free technique to detect and quantify lycopene uptake in living cells. Analysis of the acquired Raman spectra in the maps determines the concentration of lycopene at each point in the cell. In addition to the expected lycopene Raman signal, Raman scattering from the tween 80 vehicle is also mapped in the cells. The Raman data correlates with scattering features observed in darkfield microscopy images of the cells, which display the cell membrane and other features for reference. Overall, the Raman maps indicate lycopene likely accumulates in lipid membranes of cytoplasmic organelles.
Topics: Carotenoids; Diagnostic Imaging; Humans; Lycopene; Male; Prostate; Prostatic Neoplasms
PubMed: 35289593
DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c05442 -
Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy =... May 2023The potent relation between lycopene intake and reduced incidence of a variety of cancers has an increasing interest. This comprehensive review aims to highlight the in... (Review)
Review
The potent relation between lycopene intake and reduced incidence of a variety of cancers has an increasing interest. This comprehensive review aims to highlight the in vivo and in vitro research evaluating the anticancer mechanisms of lycopene by underlining the experiment conditions. In addition to these, the general characterization of lycopene has been explained. A collection of relevant scientific pharmacological articles from the following databases PubMed/MedLine, Web of Science, Scopus, TRIP database, and Google Scholar on the mechanisms of anticancer molecular action and cellular effects of lycopene in various types of tumors was performed. The anticancer potential of lycopene has been described by various in vitro cells, animal studies, and some clinical trials. It has been revealed that the anticancer potential of lycopene is mainly due to its powerful singlet-oxygen quencher characteristics, simulation of detoxifying/antioxidant enzymes production, initiation of apoptosis, inhibition of cell proliferation and cell cycle progression as well as modulations of gap junctional communication, the growth factors, and signal transduction pathways. It has been highlighted that the anticancer properties of lycopene are primarily linked to factors including; dose, presence of drug delivery systems, type of cancer, tumor size, and treatment time.
Topics: Animals; Lycopene; Carotenoids; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Neoplasms
PubMed: 36841029
DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114428