Tissue distribution of lycopene in ferrets and rats after lycopene supplementation

To determine lycopene uptake and tissue distribution in ferrets (Mustela pu torius furo) and F344 rats, we supplemented orally 4.6 mg/(kg body wt.d) ly copene in a tomato oleoresin-corn oil mixture (experimental groups). After 9 wk of supplementation, the animals were killed and blood and organs were collected, Plasma and tissue carotenoids were extracted and measured using HPLC, Mean concentrations of lycopene (nmol/kg wet tissue) in saponified ti ssues of ferrets were as follows: liver 933, intestine 73, prostate 12.7 an d stomach 9.3, Levels of lycopene (nmol/kg wet tissue) in saponified tissue of rats were as follows: liver 14213, intestine 3125, stomach 78.6, prosta te 24 and testis 3.9, When these organs were extracted without saponificati on, the lycopene levels were lower, except for rat testis. All-trans-lycope ne was the predominant isomer found in tomato oleoresin and in the majority of rat tissues, whereas cis-lycopenes were predominant in rat prostate and plasma. This pattern was reversed in ferrets. The results show the followi ng: I) lycopene from tomato oleoresin is absorbed and stored primarily in t he liver of both animals; 2) saponification generally improves the extracti on of lycopene from most tissues of both animals; 3) cis-lycopene and all-t rans-lycopene are the predominant isomers in ferret and rat tissues, respec tively; and 4) rats absorb lycopene more effectively than ferrets.