Background:

The kidney is a target organ for injuries caused by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in obesity. The receptor of AGEs (RAGE) is proinflammatory and appears to have a role in the pathogenesis of renal disease due to obesity.

Objective:

The aim was to verify the effect of obesity on renal damage and the effect of lycopene on these complications

Design and Methods:

Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to receive a control diet (C, n= 7) or a high-fat diet plus sucrose (HD+ S, n= 14) for 6 weeks. After this period, the HD+ S animals were randomized into two groups: HD+ S (n= 7) and HD+ S supplemented with lycopene (HD+ S+ L, n= 7). The animals received maize oil (C and HD+ S) or lycopene (HD+ S+ L) for a 6-week period.

Results:

The HD+ S and HD+ S+ L animals demonstrated insulin resistance (OGTT glucose after 150 min; C: 117.6±3.9< HD+ S: 138.1±5.1= HD+ S+ L: 137.8±5.2 mg dl− 1; P= 0.01); however, no changes were seen in fasting glucose, plasma lipids, blood pressure or renal function. Renal concentrations of RAGE and TNF-α increased in the HD+ S group and lycopene supplementation restored these to control group values (RAGE: C: 3.1±0.3= DH+ S+ L: 3.1±0.3< DH+ S: 3.6±0.4 μg g− 1; P= 0.014; TNF-α: C: 227.8±2.7= DH+ S+ L: 227.4±2.2< DH+ S: 238.7±3.0 pg/ml; P= 0.014).

Conclusions:

Lycopene may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress and inflammation in the kidney due to obesity.