Lycopene alleviates ionic disturbances and anaemia by improving iron homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and ATPases activities in obese female rats

Background

We have previously demonstrated the efficacy of lycopene against cardiovascular and neurological complications associated with obesity. However, its effect on anaemia and ionic disturbances associated with obesity remain unexplored; hence, this study.

Procedures

Obesity was induced with a Western-style diet. Thereafter, rats were distributed into five groups (n = 6): control, obese, obese + lycopene (20 mg/kg b.wt.), obese + lycopene (40 mg/kg b.wt.), and normal + lycopene (40 mg/kg b.wt.), for four weeks.

Findings

Obese rats had significantly (P < 0.001) reduced serum concentrations of Na⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cl⁻ (by 31.8%, 24.1%, and 37.2%, respectively), whereas K⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentrations were significantly (P < 0.001) increased by over one-fold, compared to the control. Red blood cell count, haemoglobin, serum iron, and other blood indices were significantly (P < 0.001) reduced compared to the control, whereas serum hepcidin was elevated. Obese rats also presented insulin resistance, hallmarked by poor glucose tolerance, hyperinsulinemia, higher HOMA-IR, hyperglycaemia, and higher glycated haemoglobin concentrations. In the liver, we also observed upregulated TNFα expression and downregulated IRS-1 expression. The liver and kidneys activities of Na⁺/K⁺- and Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-ATPases were inhibited in obese rats. However, treatment with lycopene alleviated obesity-induced ionic disturbances, improved haematological indices, improved insulin sensitivity and iron homeostasis, upregulated IRS-1 expression and ATPases activity, and downregulated TNFα expression, in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that lycopene can protect against obesity-induced ionic disturbances and anaemia with improved insulin sensitivity, ATPases activities, and iron status as possible underlying mechanisms.