High Lycopene Tomato Production and Evaluation of
Effects of its Consumption on Human Plasma Lycopene Levels and Oxidative
Damage
Chieri Kubota1, Cynthia Thomson2, and Iman
Hakim3
1CEAC; 2Cancer Research Center and Department of Nutritional
Science; 3Division of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health
Emerging evidence suggests that tomatoes
(lycopene) have the potential to improve the health status the U.S.
population. Enhancement of lycopene intake is potentially possible
through the development and distribution of a high lycopene tomato.
We have recently produced such a tomato and propose to test its efficacy
through the elevation of plasma lycopene levels and/or reduction in
oxidative damage. Using a randomized, cross-over controlled feeding
study in 40 adults, we hypothesize that daily consumption of high lycopene
as compared to a standard fresh tomato will result in 1) a
significant elevation in plasma lycopene levels and 2) a significant
reduction in oxidative damage biomarkers among smoking and non-smoking
adults. The objectives are: 1) to provide fresh standard tomatoes or
high lycopene tomatoes by manipulating the hydroponic nutrient solution
EC, 2) to assess/monitor lycopene content and ORAC response of fresh
tomatoes used in study intervention, 3) to measure plasma lycopene,
related carotenoids, 8-epi-prostaglandin F2-alpha as a biomarker of lipid
peroxidation and 8-OHdG as a biomarker of DNA oxidative damage at four
separate timepoints, and to publish and disseminate study findings.
This research represents a unique, multidisciplinary approach to test the
human biological response to consumption of a high lycopene tomato that is
being produced through a cost-effective and easily adaptable greenhouse
method. This collaborative research effort of plant sciences,
applied nutritional sciences and translational public health sciences
affords a unique opportunity to expand collaborative food-related research
in the future.
(Pending research project submitted to USDA
NRI)
Collaborators: Hope Jones, PLS MS student, Jamal Javanmardi, Mark
Kroggel, CEAC
In Progress
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