Demostración histopatológica del efecto protector del licopeno como antioxidante ante el estrés oxidativo producido por el herbicida paraquat en cobayos. Cuenca-Ecuador. 2014

Objectives: histopathologic demonstration of the protective effect of lycopene as an antioxidant against oxidative stress caused by the herbicide paraquat in guinea pigs. Materials and Methods: 1 (control), 2 (lycopene), 3 (paraquat) and 4 (lycopene + paraquat): An experimental study in which 48 guinea pigs were used to form 4 groups was conducted. Orogastric route were administered after having induced sedation, saline, lycopene (100 mg / kg), and paraquat (60 mg / kg). Eleven days later proceeded to sacrifice and removal of the lungs for histopathological analysis. Paraquat doses were set after application of a pilot study. For data analysis SPSS v.19 statistical software was used. Results: It was found vascular congestion in the lungs of all the tested guinea pigs (100%). In the group receiving paraquat the presence of edema and fibrosis (66.7%) was demonstrated. In the group receiving paraquat lycopene plus edema s presented in 50% of cases and not compatible with cases reported fibrosis. Administration of lycopene in group 4 (lycopene + paraquat) was a protective effect for the development of edema (RR: 0.5, CI: 0.22-0.78, RRR: 50% CI 0.12 to 0.72, NNT 2 CI 2 -5), can be established that the administration of lycopene prevents pulmonary fibrosis (RAR: 67% CI 0.40 to 0.93, NNT 2 CI 2-3). Conclusions: The administration of lycopene reduces the risk of development of pulmonary fibrosis and edema. Vascular congestion was observed in all samples tested to be secondary killing method. KEYWORDS: ANTIOXIDANT, LYCOPENE, OXIDATIVE STRESS, FREE RADICALS, OXIDATION, PARAQUAT, PULMONARY FIBROSIS, EDEMA, CUENCA-ECUADOR.