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Cardiovascular benefits of lycopene: fantasy or reality?

Thies, Frank; Mills, Lynsey M.; Moir, Susan; Masson, Lindsey F.

Authors

Frank Thies

Lynsey M. Mills

Susan Moir



Abstract

Epidemiological evidence indicates that high consumption of tomatoes and tomato-based products reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as CVD and cancer. Such potential benefits are often ascribed to high concentrations of lycopene present in tomato products. Mainly from the results of in vitro studies, potential biological mechanisms by which carotenoids could protect against heart disease and cancer have been suggested. These include cholesterol reduction, inhibition of oxidation processes, modulation of inflammatory markers, enhanced intercellular communication, inhibition of tumourigenesis and induction of apoptosis, metabolism to retinoids and antiangiogenic effects. However, with regard to CVD, results from intervention studies gave mixed results. Over fifty human intervention trials with lycopene supplements or tomato-based products have been conducted to date, the majority being underpowered. Many showed some beneficial effects but mostly on non-established cardiovascular risk markers such as lipid peroxidation, DNA oxidative damage, platelet activation and inflammatory markers. Only a few studies showed improvement in lipid profiles, C reactive protein and blood pressure. However, recent findings indicate that lycopene could exert cardiovascular protection by lowering HDL-associated inflammation, as well as by modulating HDL functionality towards an antiatherogenic phenotype. Furthermore, in vitro studies indicate that lycopene could modulate T lymphocyte activity, which would also inhibit atherogenic processes and confer cardiovascular protection. These findings also suggest that HDL functionality deserves further consideration as a potential early marker for CVD risk, modifiable by dietary factors such as lycopene.

Citation

THIES, F., MILLS, L.M., MOIR, S. and MASSON, L.F. 2017. Cardiovascular benefits of lycopene: fantasy or reality? Proceedings of the nutrition society [online], 76(2), pages 122-129. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665116000744

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 1, 2016
Online Publication Date Sep 9, 2016
Publication Date May 31, 2017
Deposit Date Sep 14, 2016
Publicly Available Date Sep 10, 2017
Journal Proceedings of the nutrition society
Print ISSN 0029-6651
Electronic ISSN 1475-2719
Publisher Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 76
Issue 2
Pages 122-129
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665116000744
Keywords Lycopene; Cardiovascular health; Intervention trials; Mechanisms
Public URL http://hdl.handle.net/10059/1683
Contract Date Sep 14, 2016

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