The Effects of Curcumin Administration on Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Pulse Wave Velocity in Diabetic Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Prior studies have reported that curcumin is inversely associated with reduced markers of atherosclerosis risk, including carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT). This study was designed to assess the effects of curcumin on CIMT and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in diabetic hemodialysis (HD) patients.

METHODS

This randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 39 diabetic HD patients. People were assigned to receive curcumin or placebo (starch) for 24 weeks. Individuals in the curcumin group ( = 26) received 80 mg/day. CIMT and PWV levels were taken at baseline and after 24 weeks of intervention.

RESULTS

After 24 weeks of intervention, curcumin intake did not affect mean levels of left ( = 0.83) and right ( = 0.47) CIMT and maximum levels of left ( = 0.84) and right ( = 0.11) CIMT, and PWV (P = 0.12) compared to the placebo. Furthermore, within-group difference demonstrated a significant reduction in mean levels of PWV ( = 0.01) in the curcumin group. We did not observe any significant change in C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations after curcumin intake ( = 0.69).

CONCLUSIONS

Curcumin intake did not affect mean levels of left and right CIMT and maximum levels of left and right CIMT, PWV, and CRP levels compared to the placebo. Additionally, within-group difference demonstrated a significant reduction in mean levels of PWV in the curcumin group.This trial was registered at www.irct.ir as http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20200527047584N1.