Lycopene ameliorates locomotor activity and urinary frequency induced by pelvic venous congestion in rats

Decreased locomotor activity and altered urinary frequency are induced by bilateral common iliac vein ligation in rats. As a carotenoid, lycopene has a strong anti-oxidative function. This research investigated the function of lycopene in the pelvic venous congestion (PC) rat model and the underlying molecular mechanism. Lycopene and olive oil were administered intragastrically on a daily basis for 4 weeks after successful modeling. Locomotor activity, voiding behavior, and continuous cystometry were analyzed. The levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), nitrate and nitrite (NO ), and creatinine in the urine were measured. Gene expression in the bladder wall was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Western blot. Locomotor activity, single voided volume, the interval between the bladder contractions, and urinary NO /cre ratio were all decreased in rats with PC, while the frequency of urination, urinary 8-OHdG/cre ratio, inflammatory responses, and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signal activity were all increased. Lycopene treatment increased locomotor activity, decreased frequency of urination, elevated urinary NO level, and decreased urinary 8-OHdG level in the PC rat model. Lycopene also inhibited PC-enhanced pro-inflammatory mediator expression and NF-κB signaling pathway activity. In conclusion, lycopene treatment ameliorates PC-induced phenotypes and shows an anti-inflammatory effect in the PC rat model.