The Protective Effect of Lycopene on Kidney Against Experimentally Induced Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction

Abstract

Introduction: To investigate the possible protective effect of lycopene on kidney after unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Materials and methods: Twenty-one Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups in experimental study. In lycopene group, lycopene was administered two days before left ureteral ligation and was continued for 15 days. In control group, left ureteral ligation was applied with no medication. In sham group, midline incision was made to abdomen and then closed. Histopathological, biochemical and scintigraphic evaluations were made.

Results: Microscopic score was 50.56 +/- 34.32 in lycopene, 97.22 +/- 39.14 in control and 28.33 +/- 12.58 in sham group. Microscopic score was lower in lycopene group than control group (p= 0.033). In biochemical analysis, mean value of myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite levels were 0.05 +/- 0.03, 4.64 +/- 1.49 and 0.06 +/- 0.01 respectively in lycopene group, 0.10 +/- 0.03, 8.37 +/- 3.31 and 0.14 +/- 0.09 in control group and 0.04 +/- 0.01, 18.76 +/- 9.30 and 0.05 +/- 0.01 in sham group. MPO, MDA and nitrite levels were lower in lycopene group than in control group (p= 0.033, p= 0.007 and p < 0.001, respectively). Postoperative mean Technetium-99m dimercaptosuccinic acid (Tc-99m DMSA) uptake values of left kidneys were 6.26 +/- 5.17 in lycopene, 2.09 +/- 1.03 in control and 49.17 +/- 1.37 in sham group. There was no statistically significant difference between lycopene and control groups in respect of postoperative DMSA uptake values (p= 0.063).

Conclusion: Lycopene is effective for the protection of kidney after ureteral obstruction as shown by microscopic parameters and decreased reactive oxygen species.