Effect of lycopene on nephrotoxicity induced by mercuric chloride in rats

Oxidative stress is an important molecular mechanism for kidney injury in mercury poisoning. We studied lycopene, a potent carotenoid found in tomatoes due to its large antioxidant properties, and also evaluated the ability of lycopene to prevent HgCl2 nephrotoxicity. Rats were injected with HgCl2 (0 or 5 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneously) 6 hr after lycopene administration (0, 10, 25 or 50 mg/kg by gavage) and were killed 12 hr after HgCl2 exposure. HgCl2-induced inhibition of delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity (similar to 35%) and increase of lipid peroxidation in kidney (similar to 37%) were prevented by lycopene. However, lycopene did not prevent the increase of plasma creatinine levels (similar to 123%) and renal tubular necrosis induced by HgCl2. Glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were enhanced (similar to 71% and similar to 41%), while superoxide dismutase activity was depressed (similar to 44%) in HgCl2-treated rats when compared to control and these effects were prevented by lycopene. Our results indicate that although lycopene did not prevent HgCl2-induced renal failure, it could play a beneficial role against HgCl2 toxicity by preventing lipid peroxidation and changes in the activity of delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase and antioxidant enzymes.