Lycopene Improves Bone Quality in SAMP6 Mice by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress, Cellular Senescence, and the SASP.

SCOPE: Cellular senescence (CS) is closely related to tissue ageing including bone ageing. CS and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) have emerged as critical pathogenesis elements of senile osteoporosis. This study aims to investigate the effect of lycopene on senile osteoporosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The senescence-accelerated mouse prone 6 (SAMP6) strain of mice is used as the senile osteoporosis model. Daily ingestion of lycopene for 8 weeks preserves the bone mass, density, strength, and microarchitecture in the SAMP6 mice. Moreover, these alterations are associated with a decrease in oxidative stress in the senile osteoporosis model. In addition, there is a reduction in osteoblast and osteocyte senescence and the SASP in the bone tissues of the SAMP6 mice. Lycopene improves bone health likely due to its antioxidant properties that may be linked with the regulation of CS and SASP in the SAMP6 mice.

CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lycopene may be beneficial for the management of senile osteoporosis by inhibiting oxidative stress, CS, and the SASP.