A compound found in tomatoes may protect against fatty liver disease, according to a new animal study. The study, published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Science, found that phytoene, a colorless precursor to lycopene, can help prevent or manage metabolic liver disease. The findings are significant given that an estimated 100 million adults in the U.S. have metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, which causes excess fat accumulation in liver cells, a condition that, over time, can lead to liver inflammation and damage, and in advanced cases, result in scarring called cirrhosis.
Phytoene Supplementation in Mice
In the study, researchers from Tufts University fed two groups of mice a high-refined-carbohydrate diet for six months to mimic human dietary patterns associated with fatty liver disease. This diet consisted of sugary foods and beverages, similar to what many Americans consume. One group received phytoene supplementation equivalent to a person consuming three to four medium-sized raw tomatoes or 100g of tomato paste daily. This amount of phytoene is readily absorbable by the body, as previous research has shown.
The mice supplemented with phytoene showed more positive liver results than those not receiving supplementation. The researchers explain that phytoene seemed to activate key proteins involved in regulating liver metabolism.
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Potential Mechanisms and Future Research
While the exact mechanisms are not yet fully understood, the study suggests that phytoene might activate proteins that regulate liver metabolism instead of changing gut bacteria. In the study, the researchers found that female mice accumulated more phytoene in the liver than males. However, they did not find that mice lacking enzymes for metabolizing phytoene accumulated much of this compound and did not get the same protection against fatty liver disease, suggesting that the protective benefits might come from smaller compounds when the body breaks down phytoene.
Further research is needed to identify the metabolites of phytoene and determine whether genetic differences may influence its protective benefits. Additionally, the team notes that phytoene is abundant in many common fruits and vegetables, including yellow, orange, and red tomatoes, carrots, red peppers, pink grapefruit, watermelon, and apricots. This abundance makes it a promising candidate for dietary interventions aimed at preventing or slowing the progression of metabolic liver disease in high-risk individuals.
