The protective effect of lycopene supplement against vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity; a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

Introduction: It has been proposed that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity (VIN). Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the nephroprotective effects of lycopene, as a powerful antioxidant, on VIN. Patients and Methods: In the present study, individuals who received vancomycin (VCM) for any indication were assigned to drug (n=28) and control (n=30) groups. The individuals in the drug group received 25 mg of oral lycopene daily for 10 days started concurrently with VCM and the patients in the placebo group received placebo tablets with VCM. Serum levels of creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) as well as creatinine clearance (CrCl) were determined and recorded before the start of interventions, every other day during therapy, and 12 hours after the last dose of VCM in 10th day of treatment for all participants. Finally, the mean values of the measured parameters were compared between the groups. Results: The mean values of SCr were significantly lower in drug group compared to placebo at the 4th (0.85 ± 0.18 vs. 0.98 ± 0.22, P=0.016) and 6th (0.83 ± 0.18 vs. 0.95 ± 0.21, P=0.029) days. Also, CrCl was significantly higher in the drug group at the 4th day compared to placebo (105.82 ± 20.09 vs. 94.67 ± 20.53, P=0.041). Regarding VCM-induced AKI, no case was reported in any group. Conclusion: Lycopene has the potential for diminution of VCM-induced nephrotoxicity (VIN). However, more investigations with larger sample size are necessary to confirm this effect.