An Investigation of the Effect of Curcumin on Fructose-Induced Metabolic Syndrome Rat Models

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the potential effect of curcumin on glucose homeostasis, insulin resistance, inflammation, and oxidative stress in a fructose-induced metabolic syndrome rat model. Material and Methods: 24 male adult Wistar albino rats were randomly separated in to 4 groups: control (Group 1), 20% fructose (Group 2), 20% fructose and 100 mg/kg curcumin (Group 3), and 20% fructose, and 200 mg/kg curcumin (Group 4). Serum glucose, insulin, and plasma lipoprotein levels were determined by an auto-analyzer. Other parameters were determined by the Elisa Assay Method. Mann-Whitney U test was performed using the Bonferroni Correction to determine the significance of the difference between the two group (p≤0.008). Spearman Correlation Analysis was performed among parameters. Results: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) was successfully created by observing increased serum glucose, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (p≤0.008). The significance of serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels among the groups could not be determined. While serum total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) levels of Group 2 increased significantly compared to Group 1, and the levels of these parameters were significantly decreased in Group 3 and Group 4 compared to Group 2 (p≤0.008). The serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level of Group 2 increased significantly compared to Group 1 (p≤0.008). It was determined that the serum TNF-α level of Group 3 and Group 4 decreased significantly compared to Group 2 (p≤0.008). There was a positive correlation between serum OSI and TNF-α levels and serum HOMA-IR and TNF-α levels (p≤0.01). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that curcumin has a healing effect against MetS in the rat experimental animal model.