Tomato paste rich in lycopene protects against cutaneous photodamage in humans in vivo: a randomized controlled trial

Summary

Background Previous epidemiological, animal and human data report that lycopene has a protective effect against ultraviolet radiation (UVR)‐induced erythema.

Objectives We examined whether tomato paste – rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant – can protect human skin against UVR‐induced effects partially mediated by oxidative stress, i.e. erythema, matrix changes and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage.

Methods In a randomized controlled study, 20 healthy women (median age 33 years, range 21–47; phototype I/II) ingested 55 g tomato paste (16 mg lycopene) in olive oil, or olive oil alone, daily for 12 weeks. Pre‐ and postsupplementation, UVR erythemal sensitivity was assessed visually as the minimal erythema dose (MED) and quantified with a reflectance instrument. Biopsies were taken from unexposed and UVR‐exposed (3 × MED 24 h earlier) buttock skin pre‐ and postsupplementation, and analysed immunohistochemically for procollagen (pC) I, fibrillin‐1 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐1, and by quantitative polymerase chain reaction for mtDNA 3895‐bp deletion.

Results Mean ± SD erythemal D₃₀ was significantly higher following tomato paste vs. control (baseline, 26·5 ± 7·5 mJ cm⁻²; control, 23 ± 6·6 mJ cm⁻²; tomato paste, 36·6 ± 14·7 mJ cm⁻²; P =0·03), while the MED was not significantly different between groups (baseline, 35·1 ± 9·9 mJ cm⁻²; control, 32·6 ± 9·6 mJ cm⁻²; tomato paste, 42·2 ± 11·3 mJ cm⁻²). Presupplementation, UVR induced an increase in MMP‐1 (P =0·01) and a reduction in fibrillin‐1 (P =0·03). Postsupplementation, UVR‐induced MMP‐1 was reduced in the tomato paste vs. control group (P =0·04), while the UVR‐induced reduction in fibrillin‐1 was similarly abrogated in both groups, and an increase in pCI deposition was seen following tomato paste (P =0·05). mtDNA 3895‐bp deletion following 3 × MED UVR was significantly reduced postsupplementation with tomato paste (P =0·01).

Conclusions Tomato paste containing lycopene provides protection against acute and potentially longer‐term aspects of photodamage.