Could Lycopene Protect Against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in the Uterus?

Introduction: Ischernia/reperfusion damage (IRD) is one of the most important factors in the success of organ transplantation. IRD plays a role in both acute and chronic rejection. This study aims to evaluate the effects of lycopene, which is known to be a powerful antioxidant, on experimental uterine IRD. Methods: Twenty-four albino Wistar rats were included in the study and divided into three groups. No substances were administered the sham and ischemia/reperfusion groups. The ischemia/reperfusion and ischemia/reperfusion + lycopene groups were administered ischemia for 1 h and reperfusion for 2 h. The ischemia/reperfusion + lycopene group was administered 2.5 mg/kg lycopene reperfusion intraperitoneally half an hour before ischemia/reperfusion. Both uterine horns were extracted at the end of the procedure. Oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the tissues were assessed. Results: The malondialdehyde level, nuclear factor kappa-B immunoreactivity, and apoptotic cell number in the lycopene-administered group (ischemia/reperfusion + lycopene) were significantly decreased compared with those in the ischemia/ reperfusion group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study found that lycopene reduced the effects of IRD on uterine tissue. Lycopene may positively affect the short- and long-term success of organ transplantation.