Abstract: ObjectiveTo examine protective effects of lycopene on oxidative stress.MethodsThirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into control,iron,lycopene,iron+high lycopene,iron+medium lycopene,and iron+low lycopene group(6 rats in each group)and fed for 6 weeks.The iron concentration and total iron-binding capacity(TIBC) in serum and liver,kidney,spleen,heart,and colon tissue of the rats were determined.At the same time,the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA),total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD),catalase(CAT),and glutathione S-transferase(GST)were measured.ResultsIn iron+high lycopene group,iorn concentrations of serum and liver,spleen,heart,and colon tissue were 19.06±2.1μmol/L,25.67±2.7,38.30±4.8,and 12.08±2.9μg/g.In the high lycopene group,the serum iron decreased significantly;the serum TIBC increased significantly;the content of MDA decreased significantly;the activity of T-SOD increased significantly;and the activities of CAT and GST in serum,heart,liver and colon increased significantly compared to those of the iron load group(P<0.05 for all).ConclusionThe results suggest that lycopene prevents ironinduced oxidative stress with its potent free radical scavenging and antioxidant properties.