Tomato Powder Modulates NF- κ B, mTOR, and Nrf2 Pathways during Aging in Healthy Rats.

Purpose: In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of tomato powder (TP) on glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as oxidative stress and the NF- κ B, mTOR, and Nrf2 pathways during the aging process in healthy rats.

Methods and Results: Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups as follows: (i) Control group 1 ( n =15, 3-week old): rats were fed standard diet for 7 weeks; (ii) TP group 1 ( n =15, 3-week old): rats were fed standard diet supplemented with TP for 7 weeks; (iii) Control group 2 ( n =15, 8-week old): rats were fed standard diet for 69 weeks; and (iv) TP group 2 (8-week old): rats were fed standard diet supplemented with TP for 69 weeks. TP supplementation significantly reduced the hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesterolemia and improved liver function and kidney function in 77-week old rats compared with the control animals ( P < 0.05). In addition, TP significantly decreased the serum and liver MDA levels ( P < 0.003 and P < 0.001, respectively) while increasing the activities of liver SOD ( P < 0.001), CAT ( P < 0.008), and GPx ( P < 0.01) compared with the control groups in both 10-week-old and 77-week-old rats ( P < 0.05). Age-related increases in phosphorylation of NF- κ Bp65, mTOR, 4E-BP1, and P70S6K were observed in livers of 77-week-old rats compared to those of 10-week-old rats ( P < 0.001). TP supplementation decreased the expression of NF- κ Bp65 and activation of mTOR, 4E-BP1, and P70S6K in livers of 77-week-old rats compared to the control animals. Moreover, TP supplementation significantly elevated Nrf2 expression in livers of both 10-week-old and 77-week-old rats ( P < 0.05).

Conclusion: TP ameliorates age-associated inflammation and oxidative stress through the inhibition of NF- κ Bp65, mTOR pathways, and Nrf2 activation may explain the observed improvement in glucose and lipid metabolism as well as the improved liver and kidney functions.