Effects of Lycopene on the Expression of Cytochrome P_(450)2E1 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Liver Tissues of Rats with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of lycopene on the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 and tumor necrosis factor-α in liver tissues of rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver. METHODS: Rats were divided into normal control (N) group and modeling group. Modeling group was given high-fat diet for 8 weeks to establish fatty liver model. Then model rats were divided into model control (M) group (high-fat diet), lycopene low-dose (L) group (normal diet, lycopene 10 mg·kg-1), lycopene high-dose (H) group (normal diet, lycopene 20 mg·kg-1) and natural recovery (NR) group (normal diet) with 10 rats of each group. Those groups were given diet for 4 weeks then sacrificed. The change of histopathology was observed. The levels of CYP2E1, TNF-α, SOD, MDA and FFA in liver tissue were detected. RESULTS: Compared with M group, the changes of histopathology in NR group, L group and H group were improved, especially in L group and H group. Compared with NR group, the levels of CYP2E1, TNF-α, MDA and FFA in liver tissue of L group and H group were decreased significantly (P0.05); the level of SOD was increased significantly (P0.05 or P0.01). CONCLUSION: Lycopene can significantly inhibit the expression of CYP2El and TNF-α in fatty liver rats and reduce lipid peroxidation so as to improve fatty liver.