Different Doses of Curcumin Supplementation Did Not Improve Biochemical Profile and Weight in C57BL/6 Male Mice Receiving High-Fat Diet

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Curcuma supplementation has been investigated to prevent or treat obesity. However, evidence suggests development of pancreatic steatosis as well. In this context, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different doses of curcumin supplementation on weight, biochemical profile, and histological analysis of the pancreas and liver of mice fed a high-fat diet. Methods This was an experimental, longitudinal and randomized study. Fifty C57BL/6 male mice, thirty days age, were separated into five groups: 1. Standard diet (n = 10); 2. High-fat diet (n = 10); 3. High-fat diet plus 50 mg of curcumin/kg of body weight (n = 10); 4. High-fat diet plus 250 mg of curcumin/kg of body weight (n = 10); 5. High-fat diet plus 500 mg of curcumin/kg of body weight (n = 10). Group 1 was fed a standard control diet (AIN 93 G), group 2 was fed a purified high-fat diet (AIN 93 HF 60%) and both groups received only the vehicle (carboxymethyl cellulose - CMC 1%) by gavage. Mice from groups 3, 4 and 5 were fed a purified high-fat diet (AIN 93 HF 60%) plus curcumin at different doses (50, 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight diluted in 1% CMC) by gavage for twelve weeks. All groups received food and water ad libitum. At the end of the experimental period, we analysed lipid profile, blood glucose, insulin, histology of the pancreas and liver. ANOVA one way and Kruskal-Wallis analysis were performed and a value of P ˂ 0.05 was used to denote statistical significance. Results Curcumin supplementation did not improve weight and biochemical profile. Additionally, histological changes were not observed at any dose of supplementation. Pancreatic or hepatic steatosis was not evidenced in high-fat diet groups and also in the groups who received curcumin, suggesting no toxic effects at the different doses of supplementation provided. Conclusions Our results suggest that curcumin supplementation has no beneficial effect on weight gain prevention and biochemical profile, regardless of the dose administered. Funding Sources FAPESP (São Paulo Research Foundation).