title: Oral supplementation of turmeric attenuates proteinuria, transforming growth factor-β and interleukin-8 levels in patients with overt type 2 diabetic nephropathy: a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  End-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to type 2 diabetic nephropathy is a very common condition which is increasing in prevalence, and is associated with high global levels of mortality and morbidity. Both proteinuria and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) may contribute to the development of ESRD in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Experimental studies indicate that turmeric improves diabetic nephropathy by suppressing TGF-β. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of turmeric on serum and urinary TGF-β, interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as proteinuria, in patients with overt type 2 diabetic nephropathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study was carried out in the Diabetes Clinic of the Outpatient Department of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences on 40 patients with overt type 2 diabetic nephropathy, randomized into a trial group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 20). Each patient in the trial group received one capsule with each meal containing 500 mg turmeric, of which 22.1 mg was the active ingredient curcumin (three capsules daily) for 2 months. The control group received three capsules identical in colour and size containing starch for the same 2 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum levels of TGF-β and IL-8 and urinary protein excretion and IL-8 decreased significantly comparing the pre- and post-turmeric supplementation values. No adverse effects related to turmeric supplementation were observed during the trial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term turmeric supplementation can attenuate proteinuria, TGF-β and IL-8 in patients with overt type 2 diabetic nephropathy and can be administered as a safe adjuvant therapy for these patients.
authors.affiliation: Shiraz Nephro-Urology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. khajehdp@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Parviz
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Khajehdehi
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pakfetrat
authors.forename: Katayoun
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Javidnia
authors.forename: Fariborz
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Azad
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Malekmakan
authors.forename: Mahshid Hashemi
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Nasab
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dehghanzadeh
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D030024:Curcuma; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D016209:Interleukin-8; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha