Ameliorative effect of lycopene against renal injury induced by sodium fluoride in rats

The current study aims to investigate the preventive efficacy of lycopene (LP) against sodium fluoride (NaF)-induced renal damage in rats. Four equal groups (6 rats/group) of albino rats with initial average weight 120 ± 10g were assigned as follows: G1 rats served as controls, whereas G2 rats received LP orally (10 mg/kg B.W per day); G3 rats were administered NaF (100 mg/L) in drinking water, and G4 rats were given NaF along with LP. After four weeks of the experimental period, blood samples were collected to estimate urea and creatinine levels in sera. Kidney tissues were also collected to investigate the following parameters: superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reduced content (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in tissue homogenate. The present data declared that NaF reduced renal antioxidants SOD and GSH while elevating the levels of urea and creatinine, MDA, as well as TNF-α. Administration of LP to NaF-treated rats restored the levels of renal antioxidants and ameliorated the elevated levels of renal biomarkers, MDA, and TNF-α. The study demonstrated that LP supplementation provided strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection against nephrotoxicity caused by NaF.