Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is an important microvascular complication of diabetes and one
of the main causes of end stage renal disease. The protective effect of lycopene against
streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic nephropathy and oxidative stress in rats was evaluated.
Seventy two male albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I (normal group): rats
administered buffer citrate. Group II (DN group): rats received a single intraperitoneal (i.p) injected
dose of STZ (50 mg/kg b.wt). Group III (DN + insulin treated group): diabetic nephropathy rats
treated with insulin (2U/rat/day/i.p). Group IV (DN + lycopene treated group): diabetic nephropathy
rats treated with lycopene (20 mg/kg b.wt/day/orally). The obtained results showed a significant
increase in serum glucose, urea, creatinine and kidney tissue L-MDA concentrations with
upregulation of NF-kB gene expression in diabetic nephropathy induced rats. However, SOD
activity and GSH level of kidney tissues were markedly decreased. Administration of lycopene to
DN induced rats caused a significant improvement of all previous parameters towards their normal
range. These results suggested that, lycopene treatment may have a protective effect against STZinduced
diabetic nephropathy and oxidative stress in rats through free radical scavenging and antiinflammatory
activity as well as regenerating endogenous antioxidant defense system mechanisms.