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Original Research

Highly absorptive curcumin reduces serum atherosclerotic low-density lipoprotein levels in patients with mild COPD

Masafumi Funamoto1 Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka;2 Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto

,

Yoichi Sunagawa1 Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka;2 Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto;3 Shizuoka General Hospital, Shizuoka

,

Yasufumi Katanasaka1 Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka;2 Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto;3 Shizuoka General Hospital, Shizuoka

,

Yusuke Miyazaki1 Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka;2 Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto

,

Atsushi Imaizumi4 Theravalues Corporation, Kioicho, Tokyo

,

Hideaki Kakeya5 Department of System Chemotherapy and Molecular Sciences, Division of Bioinformatics and Chemical Genomics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan

,

Hajime Yamakage2 Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto

,

Noriko Satoh-Asahara2 Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto

,

Maki Komiyama2 Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto

,

Hiromichi Wada2 Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto

,

Koji Hasegawa2 Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto

&

Tatsuya Morimoto1 Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka;2 Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto;3 Shizuoka General Hospital, ShizuokaCorrespondence[email protected]

Abstract

Purpose

COPD is mainly caused by tobacco smoking and is associated with a high frequency of coronary artery disease. There is growing recognition that the inflammation in COPD is not only confined to the lungs but also involves the systemic circulation and can impact nonpulmonary organs, including blood vessels. α1-antitrypsin–low-density lipoprotein (AT-LDL) complex is an oxidatively modified LDL that accelerates atherosclerosis. Curcumin, one of the best-investigated natural products, is a powerful antioxidant. However, the effects of curcumin on AT-LDL remain unknown. We hypothesized that Theracurmin^®, a highly absorptive curcumin with improved bioavailability using a drug delivery system, ameliorates the inflammatory status in subjects with mild COPD.

Patients and methods

This is a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study. Subjects with stages I–II COPD according to the Japanese Respiratory Society criteria were randomly assigned to receive 90 mg Theracurmin^® or placebo twice a day for 24 weeks, and changes in inflammatory parameters were evaluated.

Results

There were no differences between the Theracurmin^® and placebo groups in terms of age, male/female ratio, or body mass index in 39 evaluable subjects. The percent changes in blood pressure and hemoglobin A1c and LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, or high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels after treatment were similar for the two groups. However, the percent change in the AT-LDL level was significantly (P=0.020) lower in the Theracurmin^® group compared with the placebo group.

Conclusion

Theracurmin^® reduced levels of atherosclerotic AT-LDL, which may lead to the prevention of future cardiovascular events in mild COPD subjects.

Keywords:

Acknowledgments

The current trial was conducted with a research grant from the National Hospital Organization. The authors wish to sincerely thank the subjects for their participation in this trial.

Disclosure

Theravalues is a company that develops and markets Theracurmin^®. An agreement on joint research in relation to this trial was conducted between Theravalues and the Kyoto Medical Center. The tested samples of Theracurmin^® and the placebo were donated by Theravalues. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.