The effects of lycopene in lung injury associated with cecum ligation and perforation-induced sepsis in rats: An investigative animal experiment study

Background: The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of lycopene on serum interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in rats subjected to sepsis induced by the cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) method, as well as to assess the impact of lycopene on inflammation in the lungs, which is the first organ affected by sepsis.

Methods: Twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups - control (healthy group), sepsis (CLP group), sepsis + lycopene 100 mg/kg (L100 group), and sepsis + lycopene 200 mg/kg (L200 group). Lycopene was administered by gastric lavage at doses of 100 mg/kg to the L100 group and 200 mg/kg to the L200 group. Intracardiac blood samples were collected 18 h after CLP for serum IL-1β and IL-6 level analysis. Lung tissue specimens were also collected for histopathological examination.

Results: IL-1β levels decreased significantly in the L100 and L200 groups compared to the CLP group (p<0.001). Both doses of lycopene statistically significantly reduced serum IL-6 levels in the L100 and L200 groups compared to the CLP group. Serum IL-6 levels also decreased significantly in the L200 group compared to the L100 group (p<0.001).The degree of inflammation, vascular congestion and edema decreased significantly in the L200 group compared to the CLP group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Use of lycopene in rats with CLP-induced sepsis reduced serum IL-1β and IL-6 levels and inflammation in lung tissue at histopathological examination. Lycopene can be more effective at a dosage of 200 mg/kg.