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Effects of curcumin and/or coenzyme Q10 supplementation on metabolic control in subjects with metabolic syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.
Sangouni, AA, Taghdir, M, Mirahmadi, J, Sepandi, M, Parastouei, K
Nutrition journal. 2022;21(1):62
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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, and abdominal obesity. MetS is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin and/or coenzyme Q10 supplementation on metabolic syndrome components in subjects with MetS. This study is a 2×2 factorial, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study which was conducted for 12 weeks. Eighty-eight subjects were randomly assigned into four groups. All subjects completed the trial. Results show that curcumin supplementation improves lipid profile, but it does not have any effect on body composition, hypertension and fasting plasma glucose. However, supplementation with coenzyme Q10 as well as curcumin plus coenzyme Q10 did not show any significant effects on lipid profile, body composition, hypertension and fasting plasma glucose. Authors conclude that curcumin supplementation (especially by its effects on dyslipidaemia) is more effective than coenzyme Q10 as well as the combination of curcumin and coenzyme Q10 in the management of MetS. However, curcumin, coenzyme Q10 and their combination have no effect on body composition, hypertension and glycaemic control.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metabolic syndrome (MetS) as a cluster of conditions including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and abdominal obesity is linked to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Evidence suggested that intake of curcumin and coenzyme Q10 may have therapeutic effects in the management of MetS. AIMS We investigated the effects of curcumin and/or coenzyme Q10 supplementation on metabolic syndrome components including systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), waist circumference (WC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) as primary outcomes, and total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c) and body mass index (BMI) as secondary outcomes in subjects with MetS. METHODS In this 2 × 2 factorial, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 88 subjects with MetS were randomly assigned into four groups including curcumin plus placebo (CP), or coenzyme Q10 plus placebo (QP), or curcumin plus coenzyme Q10 (CQ), or double placebo (DP) for 12 weeks. RESULTS The CP group compared with the three other groups showed a significant reduction in HDL-c (P = 0.001), TG (P < 0.001), TC (P < 0.001), and LDL-c (P < 0.001). No significant differences were seen between the four groups in terms of SBP, DBP, FPG, WC, BMI and weight. CONCLUSION Curcumin improved dyslipidemia, but had no effect on body composition, hypertension and glycemic control. Furthermore, coenzyme Q10 as well as the combination of curcumin and coenzyme Q10 showed no therapeutic effects in subjects with MetS. The trial was registered on 09/21/2018 at the Iranian clinical trials website (IRCT20180201038585N2), URL: https://www.irct.ir/trial/32518 .
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Oral Curcumin (Meriva) Is Effective as an Adjuvant Treatment and Is Able to Reduce IL-22 Serum Levels in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris.
Antiga, E, Bonciolini, V, Volpi, W, Del Bianco, E, Caproni, M
BioMed research international. 2015;2015:283634
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Psoriasis is an immune-mediated inflammatory condition affecting the skin, nails, and joints. Turmeric contains curcumin, a yellow-pigmented polyphenol with anti-inflammatory properties. Several diseases, including psoriasis, have been treated with turmeric in Asian countries since ancient times as a topical application and dietary supplement. This phase 3, single-dose, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of curcumin as a complementary therapy for the treatment of mild-to-moderate psoriasis. This study used Meriva, a curcumin supplement that contains lecithin to boost the bioavailability and absorption of curcumin. The study assessed the effect of curcumin supplementation on inflammatory cytokine secretion by the immune cells. For 12 weeks, sixty-three patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis were randomly assigned to either receive 2 grams of oral curcumin supplement, Meriva, along with topical steroid cream (Methylprednisolone aceponate 0.1%), or topical steroid cream alone. Treatment with 2 grams of oral curcumin supplementation and topical steroid cream application for 12 weeks significantly reduced the secretion of inflammatory cytokine, IL-22, in the serum of psoriatic patients. Additionally, the treatment reduced the proliferation of outer skin cells. Further robust studies are required to analyse the beneficial effects of curcumin on other pathogenic pathways of psoriasis. The study can help healthcare professionals learn more about the benefits of curcumin supplements for treating psoriasis in conjunction with conventional medicine.
Abstract
Curcumin is a complementary therapy that may be helpful for the treatment of psoriasis due to its anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, antioxidant, and antiproliferative effects. In the present study we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effectiveness of a bioavailable oral curcumin in the treatment of psoriasis. Sixty-three patients with mild-to-moderate psoriasis vulgaris (PASI < 10) were randomly divided into two groups treated with topical steroids and Meriva, a commercially available lecithin based delivery system of curcumin, at 2 g per day (arm 1), or with topical steroids alone (arm 2), both for 12 weeks. At the beginning (T0) and at the end of the therapy (T12), clinical assessment and immunoenzymatic analysis of the serum levels of IL-17 and IL-22 were performed. At T12, both groups achieved a significant reduction of PASI values that, however, was higher in patients treated with both topical steroids and oral curcumin than in patients treated only with topical steroids. Moreover, IL-22 serum levels were significantly reduced in patients treated with oral curcumin. In conclusion, curcumin was demonstrated to be effective as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of psoriasis vulgaris and to significantly reduce serum levels of IL-22.
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A double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised trial evaluating the effect of a polyphenol-rich whole food supplement on PSA progression in men with prostate cancer--the U.K. NCRN Pomi-T study.
Thomas, R, Williams, M, Sharma, H, Chaudry, A, Bellamy, P
Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases. 2014;17(2):180-6
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Green tea, pomegranate, curcumin and broccoli have been shown to have anti-cancer effects in pre-clinical studies. The aim of this double-blind placebo controlled trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of wholefood extracts from these foods in men with prostate cancer as evaluated by progression of PSA (prostate specific antigen), a prostate cancer marker, over a six months intervention period. There was a statistically and clinically significant reduction in PSA progression in the supplement group compared to the placebo group, and significantly more men in the supplement group had no PSA progression compared to placebo group. The number of adverse effects was not statistically significantly different between the two groups. No interactions were seen between the supplement and warfarin and blood pressure lowering medication. The authors conclude that this wholefood supplement offers significant short-term benefits, and encourage larger studies into longer term benefits.
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polyphenol-rich foods such as pomegranate, green tea, broccoli and turmeric have demonstrated anti-neoplastic effects in laboratory models involving angiogenesis, apoptosis and proliferation. Although some have been investigated in small, phase II studies, this combination has never been evaluated within an adequately powered randomised controlled trial. METHODS In total, 199 men, average age 74 years, with localised prostate cancer, 60% managed with primary active surveillance (AS) or 40% with watchful waiting (WW) following previous interventions, were randomised (2:1) to receive an oral capsule containing a blend of pomegranate, green tea, broccoli and turmeric, or an identical placebo for 6 months. RESULTS The median rise in PSA in the food supplement group (FSG) was 14.7% (95% confidence intervals (CIs) 3.4-36.7%), as opposed to 78.5% in the placebo group (PG) (95% CI 48.1-115.5%), difference 63.8% (P=0.0008). In all, 8.2% of men in the FSG and 27.7% in the PG opted to leave surveillance at the end of the intervention (χ2 P=0.014). There were no significant differences within the predetermined subgroups of age, Gleason grade, treatment category or body mass index. There were no differences in cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, C-reactive protein or adverse events. CONCLUSIONS This study found a significant short-term, favourable effect on the percentage rise in PSA in men managed with AS and WW following ingestion of this well-tolerated, specific blend of concentrated foods. Its influence on decision-making suggests that this intervention is clinically meaningful, but further trials will evaluate longer term clinical effects, and other makers of disease progression.