(P30-031-23) The Effects of a Lycopene-Rich Tomato Juice Enhanced With Soy Isoflavones on Inflammation in Individuals With Obesity

Objectives: Tomatoes and soy, both combined and separately, are linked to anti-inflammatory outcomes. Lycopene from tomatoes and soy isoflavones are often rationalized to produce these effects. In this randomized, crossover clinical trial, the objective is to test the effects of lycopene and soy isoflavones on markers of inflammation in obesity.

Methods: Participants (n=12) consumed daily servings of a high-lycopene tomato-soy juice, or control yellow tomato juice devoid of lycopene, both for 4 weeks each. A washout period of 2 weeks preceded the study and another for 4 weeks in between interventions. Plasma and 24-hour urine samples were collected at baseline, before and following each intervention.

Fifteen inflammatory cytokines and 40 immune cell types were profiled in plasma using high-throughput bioplex-based assays and mass cytometry, respectively. Plasma carotenoids were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography. With mass spectrometry-based metabolomics, assessment of urinary soy isoflavones along with the urine metabolome before and after each intervention for metabolite levels and global effects are underway. Unsupervised analyses will be used to visualize natural clustering within the data. Paired t-tests and mixed linear modeling will be conducted to determine significant metabolites and their effects on inflammatory markers.

Results: Plasma lycopene levels increased significantly (P = 0.001) for all patients while on the tomato-soy juice intervention as compared to both baseline and control. Interleukin-5 levels decreased (P = 0.048), while mature and naïve B cell levels increased (P < 0.01) post tomato-soy, but were not different between tomato-soy and control. Linear modeling did not reveal any relationships between lycopene and inflammatory markers.

Conclusions: Preliminary data shows a lack of effect for lycopene and isoflavones on inflammatory markers, suggesting that other compounds from tomato-soy might be at play; however, other significant markers may not have been observed due to small sample size. Germplasms specifically designed for whole food interventions can aide in understanding the roles that phytochemicals play in human health.

Funding Sources: USDA AFRI, USDA NNF, USDA ARS, Foods for Health Initiative, Lisa and Dan Wampler Endowed Fellowship