Lycopene inhibits endothelial cells migration induced by vascular endothelial growth factor A increasing nitric oxide bioavailability

Lycopene is a carotenoid found in tomatoes previously shown bioactive in endothelial cells. We studied in vitro cell migration, key step in angiogenesis using the scratch wound healing assay to test the effects of lycopene (2 µmol/L) on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells. To explore the cellular mechanism, we measured nitric oxide (NO) release and protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation. Lycopene inhibited cell migration induced by vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) and reduced Akt phosphorylation. NO generation in endothelial cells, assessed by using difluorofluorescein diacetate, was increased by lycopene alone or in combination with VEGFA and blunted by NO synthase inhibition. Increased nitrite-nitrate concentration in culture medium indicates effects of lycopene on NO bioavailability, potentially implicated in the reduction in VEGFA-induced cell migration, as observed with a NO-donor. In conclusion, lycopene inhibits endothelial cells migration modulating VEGFA signalling system. Increased NO generation partly explains lycopene bioactivity.