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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Boston, Massachusetts » Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #375704
Research Project: Dietary Strategies for Cancer Prevention

Location: Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging

Title: Role of lycopene in smoke-promoted chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung carcinogenesis

Author
item MUSTRA RAKIC, JELENA - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University
item WANG, XIANG-DONG - Jean Mayer Human Nutrition Research Center On Aging At Tufts University

Submitted to: Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/27/2020
Publication Date: 6/3/2020
Citation: Mustra Rakic, J., Wang, X. 2020. Role of lycopene in smoke-promoted chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung carcinogenesis. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2020.108439.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2020.108439

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with cigarette smoking being the single most important risk factor for both. Emerging evidence indicate alterations in reverse cholesterol transport-mediated removal of excess cholesterol from lung, and intracellular cholesterol overload to be involved in smoke-promoted COPD and lung cancer development. Since there are currently few effective treatments for COPD and lung cancer, it is important to identify food-derived, biologically active compounds, which can protect against COPD and lung cancer development. High intake of the carotenoid lycopene, as one of phytochemicals, is associated with a decreased risk of chronic lung lesions. This review article summarizes and discusses epidemiologic evidence, in vitro and in vivo studies regarding the prevention of smoke-promoted COPD and lung carcinogenesis through dietary lycopene as an effective intervention strategy. We focus on the recent research implying that lycopene preventive effect is through targeting the main genes involved in reverse cholesterol transport. This review also indicates gaps in knowledge about the function of lycopene against COPD and lung cancer, offering directions for further research.