Effect of lycopene supplementation on lipid profile, blood glucose and electrolyte homeostasis in thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis

Lycopene is a fat-soluble carotenoid pigment that gives tomatoes their red color and capacity for scavenging free radicals. The current study was designed to evaluate the effect of lycopene supplementation on blood glucose, lipid profile and electrolyte homeostasis in thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis. Experimental period was consisted of 12 weeks, divided into two phases (each of six weeks). For this purpose 24 male albino wistar rats were randomly distributed into four groups (n=6). Group I served as control, Group II received thioacetamide (200mg/kg b.w, i.p, twice a week) in the first phase and then saline in the second phase. Group III received thioacetamidein the first phase and lycopene in the second phase. Group IV received saline in the first phase and lycopene in the second phase. Thioacetamide toxicity was evidenced by decrease in body weight, plasma glucose and HDL level, plasma and intraerythrocyte sodium and potassium and increase in liver weight, plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL level. While lycopene administration resulted in increased body weight, HDL level, plasma and intra-erythrocyte sodium and potassium and decreased liver weight, plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and plasma glucose level. Thus, confirms the protective role of lycopene in thioacetamide induced liver cirrhosis. Keywords: Thioacetamide, lycopene, lipid profile, blood glucose, electrolytes.