The Effects of Curcumin on Serum Heat Shock Protein 27 Antibody Titers in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

ABSTRACT

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Inflammation and oxidant stress are features of MetS that can enhance the expression and release of heat shock proteins (Hsps), including the small heat shock protein, Hsp 27, and that may subsequently lead to the production of Hsp27 antibodies (anti-Hsp 27). Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant phytochemical that may ameliorate these features of MetS. We investigated the effects of unformulated curcumin and phospholipidated curcumin on antibody titers to heat shock protein 27 (anti-Hsp 27) in patients with MetS. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial design was used in 120 patients with MetS (diagnosed according to the International Diabetes Federation [IDF] criteria). Participants were randomly allocated to 3 groups, with 40 individuals per group, that received either 1 g/d curcumin, phospholipidated curcumin, or a placebo for 6 weeks. The changes in serum concentrations of anti-Hsp 27 did not differ significantly between study groups (p = .283). There was no significant difference between baseline and end-of-trial concentrations of anti-Hsp 27 in groups supplemented with curcumin (p = .177), phospholipidated curcumin (p = .798), or placebo (p = .663). Curcumin supplementation (1 g/d) has no significant effects on anti-Hsp 27 titers in patients with MetS.

KEYWORDS:

• metabolic syndrome
• heat shock protein 27
• curcumin

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Acknowledgment

The authors appreciate the cooperative staff of the Nutrition Clinic of the Ghaem Hospital and the participants of the study. The authors are also thankful to Indena S.p.A for their assistance in providing study supplements.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Mashhad University of Medical Science (MUMS), Iran.

Notes on contributors

Farzaneh Mohammadi

Farzaneh Mohammadi, MSc, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Research interests: Curcumin.

Maryam Ghazi-Moradi

Maryam Ghazi-Moradi, MSc, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Research interests: Curcumin.

Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan

Majid Ghayour-Mobarhan, MD, PhD, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Research interests: CVD risk factors, cohort studies, Curcumin.

Habibollah Esmaeili

Habibollah Esmaeili, PhD, Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Research interests: cohort studies.

Mohsen Moohebati

Mohsen Moohebati, Cardiologist, Cardiovascular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Research interests: CVD.

Maryam Saberi-Karimian

Maryam Saberi-Karimian, PhD, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Research interests: CVD risk factors and Curcumin.

Hamideh Safarian

Hamideh Safarian, MSc, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Research interests: Curcumin.

Shima Tavallaie

Shima Tavallaie, MSc, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Research interests: hsp-27, prooxidant-antioxidant balance.

Gordon A. Ferns

Gordon A. Ferns, DSc, MD, FRCP, Department of Medical Education, Brighton & Sussex Medical School, Falmer, Brighton, Sussex BN1 9PH UK. Research interests: CVD.

Amirhosein Sahebkar

Amirhosein Sahebkar, PhD, Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. research interests: Curcumin.