Lycopene Inhibits Postoperative Abdominal Adhesion Formation in a Mouse Model

Introduction: The prevention of postoperative abdominal adhesions is one of the top concerns of surgeons after abdominal surgery. Therefore, identifying effective interventions to reduce postoperative abdominal adhesions are essential.

Methods: Fifty male Bagg's albino/c mice were randomly divided into five groups, and all groups underwent postoperative adhesion model surgery, except for the sham group. The sham and control groups were gavaged with saline solution. Based on the control group, the sodium hyaluronate group was treated with 1 mL sodium hyaluronate (smeared on the modeling site and the abdominal cavity was closed). The other two groups were gavaged with different doses of lycopene (10 μg/kg and 20 μg/kg). Seven d after surgery, the mice were sacrificed and adhesion conditions were assessed using Nair's scoring system. Subsequently, adherent tissues were harvested and the inflammation was assessed by using haematoxylin and eosin staining and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for interleukin-6 and transforming growth factor-β1. Oxidative stress and collagen deposition condition were also detected in each mouse. Furthermore, a lycopene-induced HMrSV5 cell model was used to explore the possible functional mechanisms.

Results: 20 μg/kg of lycopene-treated group had a lower Nair's and inflammation score, both with an average score of 1.75. Also, the level of transforming growth factor -β1 and interleukin-6 in the 20 μg/kg of lycopene-treated group was lower than others. Furthermore, 20 μg/kg of lycopene had reduced the reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels in adhesion tissues compared to other groups. Fiber thickness and α-smooth muscle actin expression in adherent tissues were significantly reduced after lycopene treatment. Besides, 20 μg/kg of lycopene treatment can promote the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and silent information regulator 1. In in-vitro studies, lycopene protected mesothelial cells from H₂O₂ -induced oxidative stress injury.

Conclusions: Lycopene can attenuate abdominal adhesion in the mouse model by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and the possible mechanism may rely on promoting the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and silent information regulator 1.