The Functions of Tomato Lycopene and Its Role in Human Health Jagdeep Sroa http://patialajatti.tripod.com/

Outline Introduction Lycopene and related tomato carotenoids Structure and spectroscopy Lycopene content of common foods Intake absorption of lycopene & transport Site of concentration Mechanism of action Epidemiological evidence Food sources and bioavailability Conclusion & Future Directions References

Introduction Oxidative damage Role of antioxidants Chronic diseases Important factors Genetic factors, age, lifestyle & diet Oxidative damage Role of antioxidants

Lycopene and related carotenoids What is lycopene? Carotenoid, an acyclic isomer of ß-carotene Isomeric mixture, with 50% as cis isomers Most potent antioxidant Predominant carotenoid in human plasma

Structure and Stereochemistry http://images.googleom/imghp?hl=en&tab=gi&q=

Structure and Spectroscopy http://www.aist.go.jp/RIODB/SDBS/cgi-bin/direct_frame_top.cgi?lang=eng

Lycopene Content of Common Foods Food Type Amount mg per 100 gr. References Guava Fresh, pink 5.4 7 Tomatoes Fresh, red 3.1-7.7 8 Tomato Juice 7.83 Tomato Paste 30.07 8 Grapefruit Fresh, pink 3.36 Watermelon Fresh, red 4.1 Ketchup 16.6 Pizza sauce 32.9 Spaghetti sauce 17.5 9 Papaya Fresh, red 2.0-5.3 10 http://www.herbalgram.org/lycored/

Intake Absorption & Transport Better absorbed from lipid-rich diets & cooked, rather than raw foods Once ingested  plasma LDL & HDL Highest levels found in LDL

Site of Concentration Adrenal glands Testes Liver Prostate gland

Mechanism of Action Reactive oxygen Species (ROS) Antioxidant potential Oxidative damage Oxidative stress Cancer risk Chronic diseases Dietary lycopene Blood and tissue lycopene levels Cardiovascular Disease risk Other mechanisms Metabolic pathways Gene function regulation Gap-junction communication Hormone and Immune modulation Carcinogen metabolism

Epidemiological Evidence of Health Benefits A) Risk of Cancer The Mediterranean Diet High intake of tomatoes linked to protective effects against digestive tract cancers in a case control study and 50% reduction in rates of death from cancers at all sites in an elderly U.S. population. US Health Professionals Study Evaluated the intake of various carotenoids, inversely related to risk of prostate cancer. A reduction in risk of 35% was observed for consumption freq. of 10 or more servings per tomato products per week. Protective effects were stronger with advanced prostate. Jain CK, Agarwal S. Rao AV. Journal article

Epidemiological Evidence of Health Benefits B) Risk of Cardiovascular Disease HOPE Study Supplementation with 400 IU/d of vitamin E for 4.5 years did not result in any beneficial effects on cardio. Events in patients at high risk. In contrast, other studies indicated eating tomatoes reduced risk. John Hopkins University Study Smokers with low levels of circulating carotenoids were at an increased risk for myocardial infarction. Lower blood lycopene levels were also found to be associated with increased risk for and death from coronary artery disease in a pop. study comparing Lithuanian and Swedish cohorts with different rates of death from coronary artery disease. http://collection.nlc-bnc.ca/100/201/300/cdn_medical_association/cmaj/vol-163/issue-6/0739.htm

Food Sources and Bioavailability Good dietary sources of lycopene Lycopene from processed tomato products vs. raw tomatoes Bioavailability: dosage and presence of other carotenoids http://collection.nlc-bnc.ca/100/201/300/cdn_medical_association/cmaj/vol-163/issue-6/0739.htm

Conclusion & Future Directions Effectiveness vs. safety Health benefits Natural tomato oil Dietary supplements http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/Academics/nutr/olestra/o5.html

References http://www.thewallachfiles.com/informationcenter/lycopene_tomatoes.html http://www.herbalgram.org/lycored/ http://www.drugstore.com/qxc42850_332828_sespider/lycopene/lycopene.htm http://www.ochsner.org/library/healthguide/en-us/cam/topic.asp?hwid=hn-2877000 http://jxb.oupjournals.org/cgi/content/full/53/377/2107 Food, nutrition and the prevention of cancer: a global perspective. Washington: World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research; 1997. Jain CK, Agarwal S, Rao AV. The effect of dietary lycopene on bioavailability, tissue distribution, in-vivo antioxidant properties and colonic preneoplasia in rats. Nutr Res 1999;19:1383-91. http://www.nnfa.org/services/science/bg_lycopene.htm http://www.universityhealth.org/17392.cfm http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/Academics/nutr/olestra/o5.html

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