Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with cigarette smoking being the single most important risk factor for both. Emerging evidence indicates alterations in reverse cholesterol transport-mediated removal of excess cholesterol from lung, and intracellular cholesterol overload to be involved in smoke-promoted COPD and lung cancer development. Since there are currently few effective treatments for COPD and lung cancer, it is important to identify food-derived, biologically active compounds, which can protect against COPD and lung cancer development. High intake of the carotenoid lycopene, as one of phytochemicals, is associated with a decreased risk of chronic lung lesions. This review article summarizes and discusses epidemiologic evidence, in vitro and in vivo studies regarding the prevention of smoke-promoted COPD and lung carcinogenesis through dietary lycopene as an effective intervention strategy. We focus on the recent research implying that lycopene preventive effect is through targeting the main genes involved in reverse cholesterol transport. This review also indicates gaps in knowledge about the function of lycopene against COPD and lung cancer, offering directions for further research.

慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）和肺癌是全世界发病率和死亡率的主要原因，吸烟是这两种疾病的最重要的单一危险因素。越来越多的证据表明，逆向胆固醇转运介导的从肺中清除过量胆固醇的改变以及与烟促进的COPD和肺癌发展有关的细胞内胆固醇超载。由于目前针对COPD和肺癌的有效治疗方法很少，因此鉴定可预防COPD和肺癌发展的食物来源的生物活性化合物非常重要。作为植物化学物质之一的类胡萝卜素番茄红素的高摄入与慢性肺部病变的风险降低有关。这篇评论文章总结并讨论了流行病学证据，关于通过饮食番茄红素预防烟促进的COPD和肺致癌作用的体外和体内研究，作为有效的干预策略。我们关注于最新研究，它暗示番茄红素的预防作用是通过靶向参与逆向胆固醇转运的主要基因。这篇综述还指出了关于番茄红素对COPD和肺癌的作用的知识差距，为进一步研究提供了指导。