Research paper
Effect of lycopene supplementation on oxidative stress: an exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Study answer
What this study found
Lycopene supplementation showed a possible benefit for oxidative stress, but the overall biomarker pattern was inconsistent. The clearest pooled finding was a significant reduction in DNA tail length on comet assay, with MD -6.27 [95% CI -10.74, -1.90; P = .006; n pooled = 115], suggesting less DNA damage. In contrast, LDL lag time was not significantly prolonged, with MD 3.76 [95% CI -2.48, 10.01; P = .24; n pooled = 167]. Other oxidative stress biomarkers did not show consistent significant effects, and between-study heterogeneity was very high (I2 = 100% for the pooled outcomes reported).
- Study & population
- Exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in humans.
- Intervention
- Oral lycopene supplementation was evaluated in multiple randomized trials using purified lycopene capsules or beadlets, tomato juice, and Lyc-o-Mato formulations.
- Key limitation
- Evidence was limited by very high heterogeneity, varying lycopene formulations and doses, and substantial differences in populations and study duration.
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
Lycopene is a potentially useful compound for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Studies on the effects of lycopene on oxidative stress offer insights into its mechanism of action and provide evidence-based rationale for its…