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Lycopene in Combination with Insulin Triggers Antioxidant Defenses and Increases the Expression of Components That
Ingrid Delbone Figueiredo1, Tayra Ferreira Oliveira Lima1, Paulo Fernando Carlstrom1
1Department of Clinical Analysis, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, São Paulo State University (Unesp), Araraquara 14800-903, SP, Brazil.
Background:
Biochemical events provoked by oxidative stress and advanced glycation may be inhibited by combining natural bioactives with classic therapeutic agents, which arise as strategies to mitigate diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to investigate whether lycopene combined with a reduced insulin dose is able to control glycemia and to oppose glycoxidative stress in kidneys of diabetic rats.
Methods:
Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated with 45 mg/kg lycopene + 1 U/day insulin for 30 days. The study assessed glycemia, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile and paraoxonase 1 (PON-1) activity in plasma. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities and the protein levels of advanced glycation end-product receptor 1 (AGE-R1) and glyoxalase-1 (GLO-1) in the kidneys were also investigated.
Results:
An effective glycemic control was achieved with lycopene plus insulin, which may be attributed to improvements in insulin sensitivity. The combined therapy decreased the dyslipidemia and increased the PON-1 activity. In the kidneys, lycopene plus insulin increased the activities of SOD and CAT and the levels of AGE-R1 and GLO-1, which may be contributing to the antialbuminuric effect.
Conclusions:
These findings demonstrate that lycopene may aggregate favorable effects to insulin against diabetic complications resulting from glycoxidative stress.
Insights
Lycopene combined with insulin effectively controls blood sugar and reduces kidney damage in diabetic rats by improving insulin sensitivity and combating oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Diabetology
Background:
- Oxidative stress and advanced glycation contribute to diabetic complications.
- Combining natural compounds with therapeutics is a strategy to mitigate these effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate lycopene's effect on glycemia and kidney glycoxidative stress when combined with a reduced insulin dose in diabetic rats.
Main Methods:
- Diabetic rats received lycopene (45 mg/kg) and insulin (1 U/day) for 30 days.
- Assessed plasma glycemia, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, and paraoxonase 1 (PON-1) activity.
- Measured kidney superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), AGE-R1, and GLO-1 levels.
Main Results:
- Combined therapy effectively controlled glycemia, likely via improved insulin sensitivity.
- Dyslipidemia decreased, and PON-1 activity increased.
- Kidney SOD, CAT, AGE-R1, and GLO-1 levels were elevated, suggesting an antialbuminuric effect.
Conclusions:
- Lycopene enhances insulin's protective effects against diabetic complications.
- The combination therapy shows promise in managing glycoxidative stress in diabetes.
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