Lycopene's Role in Mitigating Obesity-Induced Cardiac Remodeling: Insights Into Inflammatory and MMP-2 Pathways.

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Nutritional Science
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Obesity induces chronic inflammation and cardiac remodeling, leading to heart dysfunction.
• Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activation contributes to myocardial collagen degradation in obesity.
• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds are investigated for cardioprotective effects in obesity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate lycopene's potential in preventing and treating obesity-induced cardiac remodeling.
• To assess lycopene's effects on inflammation, MMP-2 activity, and cardiac function.
• To determine if lycopene preserves myocardial collagen integrity.

Main Methods:

• Male Wistar rats were fed a high-sugar, high-fat (HSF) diet to induce obesity and cardiac dysfunction.
• Lycopene (10 mg/kg/day) was administered for 10 weeks after cardiac dysfunction onset.
• Metabolic parameters, cardiac structure, cardiac function, inflammatory markers, and MMP-2 activity were assessed.

Main Results:

• HSF diet induced hypertension, adiposity, insulin resistance, cardiac remodeling, inflammation, and elevated MMP-2.
• Lycopene reversed insulin resistance, mitigated cardiac remodeling, and improved systolic/diastolic function.
• Lycopene reduced inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6, NF-κB, TLR-4), decreased MMP-2 activation, and enhanced TIMP-2/collagen expression.

Conclusions:

• Lycopene exhibits significant cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects in obesity-induced cardiac remodeling.
• By targeting inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation, lycopene offers a therapeutic strategy for obesity-related heart disorders.
• Lycopene may serve as an effective adjunctive therapy for preventing or treating cardiac complications of obesity.