Clinical Evidence

Effects of curcuminoids on inflammatory status in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized controlled trial
Complement Ther Med. 2020; 49: 102322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102322
Nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) is a highly prevalent disease which is closely associated with several cardiometabolic complications. Oxidative stress and inflammation have the key roles in pathogenesis of NAFLD and liver fibrosis. Curcuminoids, reduces the severity of NAFLD, hence have an implication in reducing the severity of hepatic steatosis and inflammatory cytokines.
Objective:

To assess the effect of curcuminoids supplementation on inflammatory cytokines in patients with NAFLD.

Methods:

The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 55 subjects with NAFLD. The subjects were randomly allocated to receive either curcuminoids (500 mg curcuminoids, plus 5 mg piperine) or placebo per day for 8 weeks. The severity of hepatic steatosis, serum levels of cytokines including interleukins: IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interferon γ, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were measured before and after the intervention.

Results:
  • Curcuminoids supplementation reduced body weight of subjects compared to the placebo group (p=0.016)
  • Curcuminoids supplementation improved the severity of NAFLD according to the ultrasound results (p=0.002)
  • Serum levels of TNF-α (p=0.024), MCP-1 (p=0.008) and EGF (p=0.0001) were improved which is partly responsible for the anti-steatotic effects of curcuminoids
Conclusion

Curcumin supplementation can improve serum levels of inflammatory cytokines in subjects with NAFLD and this might be at least partly responsible for the anti-steatotic effects of curcuminoids.