Abstract
Oxidative stress is enhanced by various mechanisms. Serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a useful prognostic marker in diabetic patients with coronary artery disease. To examine the effects of Theracurmin®, a highly absorbable curcumin preparation, on glucose tolerance, adipocytokines, and oxidized LDL, we conducted a double-blind placebo-controlled parallel group randomized trial in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We randomly divided the patients with impaired glucose tolerance or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and stable individuals into the placebo group and the Theracurmin® (180 mg daily for 6 months) group. Of the 33 patients analyzed, 18 (14 males and 4 females) were administered placebo and 15 (9 males and 6 females) were administered Theracurmin®. The patient characteristics did not differ between the two groups. The primary endpoint, HbA1c, did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, the level of α1-antitrypsin-low-density lipoprotein (AT-LDL), the oxidized LDL, significantly increased (p = 0.024) in the placebo group from the beginning of the trial up to 6 months, although there was no such change in the Theracurmin® group. The percentage change in BMI from the beginning of the trial up to 6 months tended to be higher in the Theracurmin® group than in the placebo group. Patients in the Theracurmin® group tended to have a larger percentage change in adiponectin and LDL-C than those in the placebo group. Patients in the Theracurmin® group showed a smaller percentage change in AT-LDL than those in the placebo group. This study suggests that the highly absorbable curcumin could potentially inhibit a rise in oxidized LDL in patients with impaired glucose tolerance or non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. This trial is registered with UMIN000007361.
Highlights
With abrupt increases in obesity and changes in lifestyle and their effect on global health and economics, type 2 diabetes has become increasingly prevalent worldwide [1]
Obesity reduces the production/secretion and action of adiponectin in adipose tissue resulting in insulin resistance and a concomitant increase in the risk of diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis [6, 7]
We previously reported that Theracurmin® reduced levels of AT-low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [19]
Summary
With abrupt increases in obesity and changes in lifestyle and their effect on global health and economics, type 2 diabetes has become increasingly prevalent worldwide [1]. Adiponectin, an adipokine derived from adipose tissue [2], improves glucose and lipid metabolism and prevents atherosclerosis [3,4,5]. Obesity reduces the production/secretion and action of adiponectin in adipose tissue resulting in insulin resistance and a concomitant increase in the risk of diabetes mellitus and atherosclerosis [6, 7]. Previous studies have reported beneficial effects of curcumin [8, 9]. A clinical study in which 240 patients with prediabetes were randomly divided into two groups, one Journal of Diabetes Research receiving placebo and the other receiving curcumin (250 mg/day) for 9 months, reported that 16.4% of the patients receiving placebo, but none of those receiving curcumin, developed type 2 diabetes [12]
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