Document Type : Original Research Article
Authors
1
Food Security Research Center and Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2
Anesthesia and Critical Care Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4
Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
5
5 Isfahan Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
6
Academic Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Allam Diabetes Centre Hull Royal Infirmary Anlaby Road HU3 2JZ, Hull, UK
7
Center for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, India
8
Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
9
Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
Objective: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), characterized by an excessive buildup of triglycerides in hepatocytes, currently lacks an approved pharmacological treatment. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of a curcumin-piperine supplement, leveraging curcumin's established antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-steatotic, and anti-fibrotic properties, with piperine enhancing its bioavailability. The objective was to assess its impact on cardiometabolic markers, liver function, and the progression of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis.
Materials and Methods: Sixty NAFLD patients were enrolled in a randomized, 12-week, placebo-controlled study. Participants were randomly assigned to a treatment group receiving a daily oral supplement of 500 mg curcumin and 5 mg piperine, or a control group receiving a placebo. Measurements of anthropometrics, biochemical indices, and hepatic steatosis and fibrosis via FibroScan were taken at baseline and study end.
Results: Anthropometric indices, and hepatic fibrosis decreased significantly within groups but not between groups for curcumin-piperine supplementation compared to placebo (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between curcumin-piperine supplementation and placebo in total cholesterol, LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol), HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol), ALT (alanine transaminase), AST (aspartate transaminase), FBS (fasting blood sugar) and hepatic steatosis after 12 weeks.
Conclusions: Curcumin-piperine supplementation showed no significant impact on hepatic or biochemical markers linked to NAFLD when compared to placebo, suggesting it may not be a beneficial adjunct therapy.
Methods: Sixty patients diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were enrolled in a randomized, 12-week, placebo-controlled study. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a treatment group receiving a daily oral supplement of 500 mg curcumin and 5 mg piperine, or a control group receiving a 505 mg microcrystalline cellulose placebo. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical indices, and assessments of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis via FibroScan were conducted at both baseline and at the conclusion of the 12-week intervention period.
Results: Anthropometric indices (weight, BMI, waist circumference), and hepatic fibrosis decreased significantly within groups but not between groups for curcumin-piperine supplementation compared to placebo (p<0.05).There were no significant differences between curcumin-piperine supplementation and placebo on total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-C, high density lipoprotein-C, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transaminase, fasting glucose and hepatic steatosis after 12 weeks.
Conclusions: Compared to placebo, curcumin-piperine supplementation did not affect any of the hepatic or biochemical markers associated with NAFLD and would not appear to be an effective adjunct therapy.
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