Lycopene-supplemented diet ameliorates metabolic syndrome induced by fructose in rats

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a lycopenesupplemented diet on a model of metabolic syndrome induced by fructose. Male Wistar rats receiving a normal diet plus tap water with 20% fructose (F) were used; half were treated simultaneously with 0.01% lycopene (FL). Rats receiving a normal diet were also divided into two groups, a control group untreated (C) and another with lycopene treatment (L). Fructose intake progressively increased the blood pressure, caused cardiac hypertrophy and endothelial dysfunction, as well as metabolic changes. Lycopene treatment significantly attenuated the development of hypertension and endothelial dysfunction and prevented cardiac hypertrophy, but had no effect in rats fed with standard diet. Others manifestations of metabolic syndrome like insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, liver enlargement, accumulation of intraperitoneal fat or oxidative stress were also improved by lycopene. In conclusion, our results suggest that lycopene significantly attenuates pathophysiological condition of metabolic syndrome caused by fructose consumption.