Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, significantly reduces the development of the adhesion phenotype.
Postoperative adhesions are a common medical complication of gynecologic and other pelvic surgeries resulting in persistent pelvic pain, obstruction of the intestines, and even infertility. The molecular mechanisms of postoperative adhesion development remain to be elucidated. We have recently described a role for reactive oxygen species, specifically superoxide, in the development of postoperative adhesions. In this study, we sought to determine whether lycopene, a potent antioxidant, reduces markers characteristic of the adhesion phenotype. Primary fibroblast cultures from normal peritoneum and adhesion tissues were utilized to determine mRNA levels of adhesion phenotype markers type I collagen, transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in response to lycopene (24 hours, 10 μM) treatment. There was a 2 (p < 0.003), 4.7 (p < 0.004), and 1.6 fold (p < 0.004) increase in mRNA levels of type I collagen, TGF-β1, and VEGF, respectively, in adhesion as compared to normal peritoneal fibroblasts. Lycopene treatment led to a 6.8 and a 12.4 fold decrease in type I collagen mRNA levels, in normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts, respectively (p < 0.005). Lycopene treatment led to a 4.2 (p < 0.03) and a 4.6 (p < 0.05) fold decrease in VEGF mRNA levels, in normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts, respectively. Lycopene treatment led to a 7.0 fold decrease in TGF-β1 mRNA levels, in adhesion fibroblasts (p < 0.03). A 1.9 fold decrease in TGF-β1 mRNA was observed in normal peritoneal fibroblasts in response to treatment, although it was not significant. Lycopene substantially reduced levels of adhesion phenotype markers in normal peritoneal and adhesion fibroblasts and whether it will reduce postoperative adhesions needs to be further investigated.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit , Michigan and.
Nicole M
NM
Fletcher
Awoniyi O
AO
Awonuga
Mohammed G
MG
Saed
Husam M
HM
Abu-Soud
Michael P
MP
Diamond
Ghassan M
GM
Saed
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024042:Collagen Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers; D006801:Humans; D000077276:Lycopene; D010641:Phenotype; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D024042:Collagen Type I; D017931:DNA Primers; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene