Effect of lycopene on lipid peroxidation and glutathione-dependent enzymes induced by T-2 toxin in vivo.

Lycopene, obtained from fresh tomatoes, was incorporated into the chicks diet. The treatments were: (1) Control, (2) 1.5 mg T-2 toxin/kg body weight/day; (3) 25 mg lycopene/kg body weight/day, (4) 1.5 mg T-2 toxin plus 25 mg lycopene/kg body weight/day. Male broiler chicks, 7-28 days of age, were provided with feed and water ad libitum. Every 7 days, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and enzymatic activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and glutathione peroxidase (GP) were evaluated in liver homogenates. Compared to the controls after 7 days of treatment, T-2 toxin increased hepatic MDA concentration (128%). A significant consumption of endogenous antioxidant GSH (45%) was induced as well as a marked increase in hepatic enzymatic activities of GST, GGT, and GP (312, 187, and 324%, respectively). Addition of T-2 plus lycopene, at an approximate ratio of 1:17 in the diet, diminished some parameters measured (P < 0.05). Apparently lycopene participated as an antioxidant agent and also protecting the cellular level of GSH.