Tomato juice protects lungs of smokers
Japan scientists have established that drinking of tomato juice prevents development of lung emphysema, caused by regular inhalation of cigarette smoke.
Conclusions of researchers from Juntendo University School of Medicine were made after conducting of experiments on mice. Experiments on human are also planned. Results of investigation were published in February issue of American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology.
2 series of mice were used as objects of investigation: ordinary laboratory mice and mice with changed heredity, genetically programmed on rapid ageing. The later group was chosen by scientists because of high probability of lung emphysema development.
During 8 weeks mice were kept in atmosphere of cigarette smoke. Half of mice from both series regularly drank 50% tomato juice during experiment.
At the end of experiment "rapidly ageing" mice fell sick of lung emphysema - chronic disease, which can be characterized by loss of lung tissue`s elasticity and increase of its airiness. All ordinary mice were healthy. Moreover, genetically modified mice, which regularly drank tomato juice, also didn`t fall sick of emphysema.
Japan researches under leadership of Kuniaki Seyama supposed that protective properties of tomato juice lie in antioxidant "lycopene", which presents in juice in large amounts.
"We think that lycopene redresses balance between oxidants and antioxidants, disturbed in experiment as result of cigarette smoke influence", - said Seyama.
Meanwhile Richard C. Baybutt from Kansas University thinks that main protective factor of tomato juice is beta-carotene. In his opinion, beta-carotene precede vitamin A, deficit of which can lead to development of emphysema.
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