The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of Lycopene in Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (USA 300)-induced inflammation and to elucidate the potential mechanism of its action. The direct effect of Lycopene on S. aureus USA300 growth was determined via growth curves assay, and α-hemolysin (Hla) release of S. aureus USA300 using hemolysis assay. Furthermore, S. aureus USA300 infected mouse model was established by intranasally infection using bacterial suspension. Histological evaluation of lung tissue after infection was carried out using H&E staining. The lungs edema was estimated using wet/dry ratio. The concentrations of cytokines in lung tissues homogenate were detected using the commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. It was shown that Lycopene inhibited Hla hemolytic activity and decreased expression of Hla and regulatory RNAIII Lycopene treatment protected A549 cells from S. aureus USA300 induced injury and acute lung inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines were also down-regulated by Lycopene treatment in the lung tissues of S. aureus USA300 infected mice. In conclusion, Lycopene restrains S. aureus-induced inflammation via inhibiting α-hemolysin expression.

本研究的目的是探讨番茄红素在金黄色葡萄球菌（S. aureus）（美国 300）引起的炎症中的作用，并阐明其作用的潜在机制。通过生长曲线测定确定番茄红素对金黄色葡萄球菌USA300 生长的直接影响，并使用溶血测定测定金黄色葡萄球菌USA300的 α-溶血素 (Hla) 释放。此外，金黄色葡萄球菌USA300感染小鼠模型采用细菌悬液鼻内感染建立。使用 H&E 染色对感染后的肺组织进行组织学评估。使用湿/干比率估计肺水肿。使用商业酶联免疫吸附测定试剂盒检测肺组织匀浆中细胞因子的浓度。结果表明，番茄红素抑制 Hla 溶血活性并降低 Hla 的表达，而调节性 RNAIII 番茄红素处理保护 A549 细胞免受金黄色葡萄球菌USA300 诱导的损伤和急性肺部炎症的影响。在S. aureus USA300 感染小鼠的肺组织中，炎症细胞因子也被番茄红素处理下调。总之，番茄红素抑制金黄色葡萄球菌-通过抑制α-溶血素表达诱导炎症。