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  • Original Article
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Effect of lycopene supplementation on insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 61, pages 1196–1200 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

Studies have suggested a link between lycopene and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). The aim of this study was to test the effect of lycopene supplementation on IGF-1 and binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) status in healthy male volunteers.

Design, setting, subjects and intervention:

This was a 4 week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of lycopene supplementation (15 mg/day) in healthy male volunteers (n=20). Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks. Samples were analysed for lycopene by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Changes in end points from baseline were compared in those who received placebo versus those who received the lycopene supplement.

Results:

Median change in lycopene from baseline (post-supplement – baseline) was higher in subjects in the intervention than those on placebo (lycopene group 0.29 (0.09, 0.46); placebo group 0.03 (−0.11, 0.08) μmol/l; median (25th, 75th percentiles), P<0.01). There was no difference in median change in IGF-1 concentrations (lycopene group –0.6 (−2.6, 1.9); placebo group –1.15 (−2.88, 0.95) nmol/l, P=0.52), or median change in IGFBP-3 concentrations (lycopene group 245 (−109, 484); placebo group 101 (−34, 234) nmol/l, P=0.55) between intervention and control groups. Change in lycopene concentration was associated with the change in IGFBP-3 in the intervention group (r=0.78; P=0.008; n=10).

Conclusions:

Lycopene supplementation in healthy male subjects has no effect on IGF-1 or IGFBP-3 concentrations in a healthy male population. However, the association between change in lycopene concentration and change in IGFBP-3 in the intervention group suggests a potential effect of lycopene supplementation on IGFBP-3.

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Acknowledgements

The lycopene and placebo capsules were kindly supplied by BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen, Germany. We thank to Mr Alistair Magill for assistance with the IGF-1 assay.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nutrition and Metabolism Group, Centre for Clinical and Population Science, Queen's University Belfast, Northern Ireland, Belfast, UK

    R Graydon, S E C M Gilchrist, I S Young & J V Woodside

  2. BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen, Germany

    U Obermüller-Jevic & O Hasselwander

Authors
  1. R Graydon
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  2. S E C M Gilchrist
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  3. I S Young
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  4. U Obermüller-Jevic
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  5. O Hasselwander
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  6. J V Woodside
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J V Woodside.

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Guarantor: JV Woodside.

Contributors: RG completed the subject recruitment, laboratory analysis and drafted the manuscript, SECMG contributed to the laboratory analysis, developed the laboratory method for lycopene, and contributed to the current manuscript. ISY devised the original study design and contributed to current manuscript. UOJ and OH contributed to the study design and the current manuscript. JVW devised the original study design, carried out the statistical analyses, and contributed to the current manuscript.

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Graydon, R., Gilchrist, S., Young, I. et al. Effect of lycopene supplementation on insulin-like growth factor-1 and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 61, 1196–1200 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602632

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