Tomato paste rich in lycopene protects against cutaneous photodamage in humans in vivo: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Previous epidemiological, animal and human data report that lycopene has a protective effect against ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced erythema.


OBJECTIVE
We examined whether tomato paste--rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant--can protect human skin against UVR-induced effects partially mediated by oxidative stress, i.e. erythema, matrix changes and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage.


METHODS
In a randomized controlled study, 20 healthy women (median age 33 years, range 21-47; phototype I/II) ingested 55 g tomato paste (16 mg lycopene) in olive oil, or olive oil alone, daily for 12 weeks. Pre- and postsupplementation, UVR erythemal sensitivity was assessed visually as the minimal erythema dose (MED) and quantified with a reflectance instrument. Biopsies were taken from unexposed and UVR-exposed (3 × MED 24 h earlier) buttock skin pre- and postsupplementation, and analysed immunohistochemically for procollagen (pC) I, fibrillin-1 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, and by quantitative polymerase chain reaction for mtDNA 3895-bp deletion.


RESULTS
Mean ± SD erythemal D(30) was significantly higher following tomato paste vs. control (baseline, 26·5 ± 7·5 mJ cm(-2); control, 23 ± 6·6 mJ cm(-2); tomato paste, 36·6 ± 14·7 mJ cm(-2); P = 0·03), while the MED was not significantly different between groups (baseline, 35·1 ± 9·9 mJ cm(-2); control, 32·6 ± 9·6 mJ cm(-2); tomato paste, 42·2 ± 11·3 mJ cm(-2)). Presupplementation, UVR induced an increase in MMP-1 (P = 0·01) and a reduction in fibrillin-1 (P = 0·03). Postsupplementation, UVR-induced MMP-1 was reduced in the tomato paste vs. control group (P = 0·04), while the UVR-induced reduction in fibrillin-1 was similarly abrogated in both groups, and an increase in pCI deposition was seen following tomato paste (P = 0·05). mtDNA 3895-bp deletion following 3 × MED UVR was significantly reduced postsupplementation with tomato paste (P = 0·01).


CONCLUSIONS
Tomato paste containing lycopene provides protection against acute and potentially longer-term aspects of photodamage.
Rizwan
M
M
Dermatological Sciences, Epithelial Sciences Research Group, The University of Manchester and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester M6 8HD, UK.
Rodriguez-Blanco
I
I
Harbottle
A
A
Birch-Machin
M A
MA
Watson
R E B
RE
Rhodes
L E
LE
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001706:Biopsy; D002081:Buttocks; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000235:genetics; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D000071838:Fibrillin-1; D000071837:Fibrillins; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D000077276:Lycopene; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D011347:Procollagen / Q000378:metabolism; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult; D054392:Adipokines
D000975:Antioxidants; D002338:Carotenoids; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D000071838:Fibrillin-1; D000071837:Fibrillins; D000077276:Lycopene; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D028321:Plant Preparations; D011347:Procollagen; C000605722:FBN1 protein, human; D054392:Adipokines