Effect of carotenoids against environmental Pollutants

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are ubiquitous and persistent environmental contaminants that disturb normal hormonal functions.Numerous toxic substances that are found in the urban environment cause abnormalities in normal growth and development. Exposure to PCBs leads to decreased antioxidant system and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS). Diets rich in vegetables protecting against several toxicants. Hence, the study was designed to investigate the role of lycopene on PCB induced cytotoxicity in rats. Mitochondrial membrane potential, LDH leakage assay, intrinsic and extrinsic pathway of apoptosis, functional markers in HT-29 cell lines. Results show that lycopene could significantly inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis in HT-29 cells via the mitochondrial cell death pathway. In the apoptotic process, lycopene in induced decreases of Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-xL/Bad ratios followed by the activation of caspase-3, the release of cytochrome c, and the collapse of m.These observations might also indicate that lycopene has protective role.