Protective Effect of Lycopene on Aspartame Induced Oxidative Stress and Histopathological Changes in Liver of Male Rats

Abstract

Aspartame (ASP) is used with the people that suffering from obesity and diabetes mellitus. The study aimed to evaluate the biochemical responses as well as histopathological changes of ASP alone or with Lycopene (LY) in liver of rats. Rats were divided into six groups according to the treatment into control low dose of ASP (LD; 75 mg/Kg), high dose of ASP (HD; 150 mg/Kg), Lycopene (LY; 20 mg/Kg), ASP-LD plus LY and ASP-HD plus LY. All the Animals were treated orally for 30 successive days. ASP increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) activities and changed the levels of lipid profile as well as creatinine and uric acid levels. It marked decreased antioxidant enzyme activity of SOD and increased the levels of lipid peroxidation (MDA), C-reactive protein and interleukins. LY prevented the ASP-induced liver injury as indicated by improving all the parameters previously illustrated. LY prevented the ASP-induced liver and kidney injury as indicated by improving all the parameters previously illustrated. Histopathological results confirm the biochemical finding and the ameliorating effect of LY on liver toxicities. In conclusion, co-treatment of LY possessed different protective mechanisms against ASP-induced liver toxicity. So, the intake of ASP should be restricted and taken with LY when it is used in food or beverages to decrease its toxicity.