Lycopene alleviates western diet-induced elevations in anthropometrical indices of obesity, adipose lipids, and other nutritional parameters

Abstract

Abstract. Objective: Given the unrelenting surge in the prevalence of obesity and the intensified efforts aimed at elucidating underlying mechanisms and proffering effective treatments, this study investigated the effects of lycopene on various anthropometrical indices of obesity. Methods: Thirty female Wistar rats were equally divided into two groups and fed either control diet or Western diet. After eight weeks, obese rats (fed Western diet) were divided into three groups (n=5); obese control received the vehicle, while the other two received lycopene (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg body weight, respectively). Normal rats were grouped into three (n=5) and treated similarly. This treatment lasted for another two weeks, in addition to their respective diets. Afterwards, anthropometrical indices were taken. Results: The weight gain, adiposity index, abdominal and thoracic circumference, body mass index, and Lee index were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the obese rats compared to the normal control, by 108.3%, 102.1%, 81.5%, 97.6%, 47.4%, and 13.9%, respectively. The obese rats had significantly (p<0.05) higher adipose tissue lipid contents, daily feed (37.4%) and energy intake (66.0%), daily weight gain (108.3%), and feed efficiency (25.5%) compared to control. However, the treatment of obese rats with lycopene occasioned a dose-dependent reduction in the elevated anthropometrical and nutritional parameters. In addition, lycopene elicited significant reductions (p<0.05), ranging from 16–54%, in the adipose lipid contents. Conclusion: The data presented here illustrate the positive effects of lycopene on indices of obesity and other anthropometric parameters in obese female rats.