The effects of curcumin on cardiovascular disease risk factors and exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy volunteers.

Abstract

Background: Evidence suggests that dietary supplementation of curcumin can strengthen the body's antioxidant defence mechanism through its numerous putative therapeutic properties. The molecular action of curcumin is thought to be protective with regards to cardiovascular disease risk factors and exercise-induced oxidative stress. Objective: To investigate the short term effects of curcumin on cardiovascular disease risk factors and exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy individuals. Methods: A randomised, single blinded, placebo controlled, parallel study design was directed. Eighteen healthy normotensive volunteers were given either 500mg/day curcumin (n=11) or placebo (n=7) for 8 days. Participants were asked to run for thirty minutes, both before and after supplementation as well as providing three urine samples: at baseline, first run (baseline) and last run (intervention). Blood pressure was taken at baseline, before and after both running sessions and post-intervention, whereas pulse wave velocity was only measured at baseline and post-intervention. 24 hour-recall diet diaries were also analysed pre and post intervention. Results: No significant changes were observed in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse wave velocity and physical activity parameters between curcumin and placebo groups (p>0.05) at baseline and post-intervention. However trends were apparent in the curcumin supplementation group. Similarly, trends were observed in polyphenol and lipid peroxidation concentrations. However, the antioxidant capacity was significantly increased after curcumin supplementation (p=0.004). Conclusion: Short term curcumin supplementation had no significant effect on blood pressure, arterial stiffness and exercise performance. As well as cardiovascular health markers, no significant effects were observed on polyphenol and lipid peroxidation concentrations. However, trends of the beneficial effects of curcumin supplementation were seen in these measured parameters. Curcumin supplementation did however indicate a positive increase in antioxidant capacity. Although still unclear, these trends suggest that further research with regards to limitations, may incline results towards presenting statistically significant effects of curcumin on cardiovascular risk factors and exercise-induced oxidative stress in both healthy individuals and those with cardiovascular disease. Key Words: curcumin, blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, oxidative stress, antioxidants, lipid peroxidation, polyphenol.