Feeding Rats Medium-Chain Triglycerides and Tomato Powder Increases Liver Lycopene Content and Reduces the Expression of Genes Related to Lipid Metabolism in the Liver

Lycopene quenches reactive oxygen species effectively; however, its bioavailability is low owing to its high lipid solubility. Here, we assessed whether feeding Sprague–Dawley rats medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which promote the emulsification of lipid-soluble food components and are metabolized more rapidly than long-chain triglycerides (LCTs), along with tomato powder (T) affects lycopene accumulation and metabolism in the liver. Liver lycopene contents were higher in MCT+T-fed rats than in LCT+T-fed rats. Serum levels of high molecular weight adiponectin were markedly higher in MCT+T-fed rats than in the other groups. MCT+T-fed rats exhibited lower liver triglycerides compared with LCT+T-fed rats. Furthermore, the elevated Acaca and Scd1 mRNA expression levels observed in rats fed MCTs were decreased in rats fed MCT+T. These results suggest that feeding rats MCTs and T increased the liver lycopene content and systemic insulin sensitivity, improving lipid metabolism in the liver.