Effects of Curcumin on Body Weight Glycemic Control and Serum Lipids in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome a Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Backgrounds: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of curcumin on body weight, glycemic control and serum lipids in women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).Material and method : The current randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed on 50 subjects with PCOS, aged 18-40 years old. Subjects were randomly allocated to take 500 mg/day curcumin (n=24) or placebo (n=26) for 12 weeks. Glycemic control and serum lipids were measured at baseline and after the 12-week intervention. Using RT-PCR method, gene expression related to insulin and lipid metabolism was evaluated.Result: Curcumin significantly decreased weight (-0.8±0.9 vs. -0.2±0.8 kg, P=0.03) and BMI (-0.3±0.4 vs. -0.1±0.3 kg/m2, P=0.03). Curcumin, compared with the placebo, significantly reduced fasting glucose (β -2.63 mg/dL; 95% CI, -4.21, -1.05; P=0.002), serum insulin (β -1.16 μIU/mL; 95% CI, -2.12, -0.19; P=0.02), insulin resistance (β -0.26; 95% CI, -0.48, -0.03; P=0.02), and significantly increased insulin sensitivity (β 0.006; 95% CI, 0.001, 0.01; P=0.02). In addition, taking curcumin was associated with a significant reduction in total cholesterol (β -15.86 mg/dL; 95% CI, -24.48, -7.24; P=0.001), LDL-cholesterol (β -16.09 mg/dL; 95% CI, -25.11, -7.06; P=0.001) and total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio (β-0.62; 95% CI, -0.93, -0.30; P<0.001), and a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol levels (β 2.14 mg/dL; 95% CI, 0.36, 3.92; P=0.01) compared with the placebo. Additionally, curcumin administration up-regulated gene expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ)(P=0.03) and low-density lipoprotein receptor(LDLR)(P<0.001) compared with the placebo.Conclusion:Overall, curcumin administration for 12 weeks to women with PCOS had beneficial effects on body weight, glycemic control, serum lipids except triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol levels, and gene expression of PPAR-γ and LDLR

Keywords:

Curcumin , insulin metabolism , lipid profiles , polycystic ovary syndromeFinancial sponser : Kashan University of Medical Sciences