Protective effect of lycopene on cardiac function and myocardial fibrosis after acute myocardial infarction in rats via the modulation of p38 and MMP-9.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays an important role in maintaining the left ventricular geometry and ventricular function, and the inhibition of ECM remodeling has therapeutic benefits that could alleviate the progression of ventricular remodeling. Recent studies have indicated that lycopene has cardioprotective effects. In this study, a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model was established by left anterior descending coronary artery ligation. After the operation, the rats received lycopene or saline. After 28 days, the rats underwent echocardiography detection and were sacrificed. Myocardial fibrosis was observed by Masson staining. Type I collagen, MMP-9, and MAPK protein expression were detected in the ischemic zone surrounding the MI by western blot. Treatment with lycopene increased the EF from 45.2 ± 3.12 % to 51.1 ± 4.63, and it decreased the LVEDd from 6.52 ± 0.37 mm to 6.18 ± 0.41 mm and the LVESd from 4.29 ± 0.63 to 3.94 ± 0.37 at 28 days post-myocardial infarction. Lycopene attenuated the MI-induced increase in MMP-9 and type I collagen expression, and inhibited p38 activation. Moreover, lycopene decreased the collagen volume fraction in the peri-infarcted zone. The data indicated that lycopene improved the cardiac function and ventricular remodeling by inhibiting p38 activation and MMP-9 expression.