Advertisement
ADVANCED SEARCH

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Agarwal, S. Articles by Rao, A. V. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Agarwal, S. Articles by Rao, A. V. Related Collections Other cardiovascular medicine Other oncology Other nutrition & metabolism

Tomato lycopene and its role in human health and chronic diseases

Drs. Agarwal and Rao are with the Department of Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.

Abstract

LYCOPENE IS A CAROTENOID THAT IS PRESENT IN TOMATOES, processed tomato products and other fruits. It is one of the most potent antioxidants among dietary carotenoids. Dietary intake of tomatoes and tomato products containing lycopene has been shown to be associated with a decreased risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Serum and tissue lycopene levels have been found to be inversely related to the incidence of several types of cancer, including breast cancer and prostate cancer. Although the antioxidant properties of lycopene are thought to be primarily responsible for its beneficial effects, evidence is accumulating to suggest that other mechanisms may also be involved. In this article we outline the possible mechanisms of action of lycopene and review the current understanding of its role in human health and disease prevention.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. Sahin, C. Orhan, M. Tuzcu, K. Sahin, and O. Kucuk The Effects of Tomato Powder Supplementation on Performance and Lipid Peroxidation in Quail Poult. Sci., February 1, 2008; 87(2): 276 - 283. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Guenegou, J. Boczkowski, M. Aubier, F. Neukirch, and B. Leynaert Interaction between a Heme Oxygenase-1 Gene Promoter Polymorphism and Serum -Carotene Levels on 8-Year Lung Function Decline in a General Population: The European Community Respiratory Health Survey (France) Am. J. Epidemiol., January 15, 2008; 167(2): 139 - 144. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. J. Kavanaugh, P. R. Trumbo, and K. C. Ellwood The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Evidence-Based Review for Qualified Health Claims: Tomatoes, Lycopene, and Cancer J Natl Cancer Inst, July 18, 2007; 99(14): 1074 - 1085. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. J. Ignarro, M. L. Balestrieri, and C. Napoli Nutrition, physical activity, and cardiovascular disease: An update Cardiovasc Res, January 15, 2007; 73(2): 326 - 340. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Wang, S. Liu, A. D. Pradhan, J. E. Manson, J. E. Buring, J. M. Gaziano, and H. D. Sesso Plasma Lycopene, Other Carotenoids, and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in Women Am. J. Epidemiol., September 15, 2006; 164(6): 576 - 585. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. O'Kennedy, L. Crosbie, M. van Lieshout, J. I Broom, D. J Webb, and A. K Duttaroy Effects of antiplatelet components of tomato extract on platelet function in vitro and ex vivo: a time-course cannulation study in healthy humans. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, September 1, 2006; 84(3): 570 - 579. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Limpens, F. H. Schroder, C. M. A. de Ridder, C. A. Bolder, M. F. Wildhagen, U. C. Obermuller-Jevic, K. Kramer, and W. M. van Weerden Combined Lycopene and Vitamin E Treatment Suppresses the Growth of PC-346C Human Prostate Cancer Cells in Nude Mice J. Nutr., May 1, 2006; 136(5): 1287 - 1293. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Agarwal, S. A. Prabakaran, and T. M. Said Prevention of Oxidative Stress Injury to Sperm J Androl, November 1, 2005; 26(6): 654 - 660. [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. M. McDevitt, R. Tchao, E. H. Harrison, and D. W. Morel Carotenoids Normally Present in Serum Inhibit Proliferation and Induce Differentiation of a Human Monocyte/Macrophage Cell Line (U937) J. Nutr., February 1, 2005; 135(2): 160 - 164. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Etminan, B. Takkouche, and F. Caamano-Isorna The Role of Tomato Products and Lycopene in the Prevention of Prostate Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., March 1, 2004; 13(3): 340 - 345. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				P. D. Matthews, R. Luo, and E. T. Wurtzel Maize phytoene desaturase and {zeta}-carotene desaturase catalyse a poly-Z desaturation pathway: implications for genetic engineering of carotenoid content among cereal crops J. Exp. Bot., October 1, 2003; 54(391): 2215 - 2230. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Wu, S. J. Schwartz, E. A. Platz, S. K. Clinton, J. W. Erdman Jr., M. G. Ferruzzi, W. C. Willett, and E. L. Giovannucci Variations in Plasma Lycopene and Specific Isomers over Time in a Cohort of U.S. Men J. Nutr., June 1, 2003; 133(6): 1930 - 1936. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. V. Rao Lycopene, Tomatoes, and the Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease Experimental Biology and Medicine, November 1, 2002; 227(10): 908 - 913. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

HOME	CURRENT ISSUE	PAST ISSUES	COLLECTIONS	HELP	SEARCH
Copyright 1995-2000, Canadian Medical Association. All rights reserved. ISSN 1488-2329 (e) 0820-3946 (p) All editorial matter in CMAJ represents the opinions of the authors and not necessarily those of the Canadian Medical Association.