Impact of curcumin supplementation on expression of inflammatory transcription factors in hemodialysis patients: A pilot randomized, double-blind, controlled study.

Background & Aims: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients have numerous complications associated with inflammation, which is a potential driver for cardiovascular disease. Curcumin, a compound of the curcuminoid class produced by the Curcuma longa, has been reported to activate nuclear factor erythroid factor 2-related (Nrf2) and inhibit nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB). Our aim was to evaluate the effects of curcumin juice on the expression of inflammatory transcription factors in hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods And Results: This double-blind randomized pilot study included 31 HD patients divided into two groups: curcumin group (receiving 100 mL of orange juice with 12 g of carrot and 2.5 g of turmeric after each dialysis session/week for 3 months) and control group (receiving the same juice without curcumin); 14 patients in each arm completed the study. The mRNA expression of Nrf2, NF-kB, NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-1β in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC; using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, qPCR) and routine biochemistries, food intake and anthropometrics were analyzed. After three months of supplementation, the curcumin group showed a significant decrease in NF-kB mRNA expression (AU) [from 1.08 (0.77-1.38) to 0.52 (0.32-0.95),p = 0.02] and in plasma high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels [from 3.8 (2.5-6.8) to 2.0 (1.1-3.8) mg/L, p = 0.04]. There was no change in the other evaluated markers.

Conclusion: Three months treatment with curcumin in CKD patients undergoing HD resulted in decreased markers of inflammation, NF-kB mRNA expression and hsCRP, suggesting that oral supplementation of curcumin may have an anti-inflammatory effect in this patient group.

Trial Registration: Approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine/UFF, number: 2.346.933. This study was registered within ClinicalTrials.gov under the number NCT03475017.