The effect of curcumin plus piperine on body weight and fat loss as well as on the plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines in obese mice

Abstract

Obesity is a major risk factor for CVD, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Identifying dietary component(s) that can accelerate BW loss in overweight and obese individuals undergoing a BW reduction regimen will be of great value. Current evidence supports the concept that inclusion of curcumin (Cur) in a food restricted (FR) diet would facilitate BW loss in overweight individuals. To test this hypothesis, we fed 47 mice a high fat (HF) diet for 6 mo to increase their BW. The mice were then divided into 5 groups. One group continued on HF diet ad‐libitum. Four groups were FR by 20% with or without Cur (1000mg/kg diet) and piperine (Pip) (50mg/kg diet) for an additional 8 mo. BWs were reduced due to body fat loss measured by MRI. Cur alone or combined with Pip in FR mice had no additional effects on total BW and fat loss. FR alone reduced plasma levels of IL‐1 and KC/GRO, but FR groups supplemented with Cur+Pip further reduced plasma levels of several inflammatory cytokines including IL‐1, IL‐6, IL‐10 and KC/GRO. While FR‐primed peritoneal macrophages showed lower lipids uptake, Cur and Pip supplementation increased lipid accumulation in these cells. Of note, FR reduced telomere length in liver cells whereas Cur+Pip prevented the FR effect. These results suggest that a more effective health impact is achievable when Cur is administered together with Pip. NIFA/USDA grant #2010–65200‐20395 &USDA contract #58–1950‐0–014.