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


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.


CONCLUSIONS
Theracurmin(®) reduced levels of atherosclerotic AT-LDL, which may lead to the prevention of future cardiovascular events in mild COPD subjects.
Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka; Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto.
Masafumi
M
Funamoto
Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka; Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto; Shizuoka General Hospital, Shizuoka.
Yoichi
Y
Sunagawa
Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka; Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto; Shizuoka General Hospital, Shizuoka.
Yasufumi
Y
Katanasaka
Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka; Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto.
Yusuke
Y
Miyazaki
Theravalues Corporation, Kioicho, Tokyo.
Atsushi
A
Imaizumi
Department of System Chemotherapy and Molecular Sciences, Division of Bioinformatics and Chemical Genomics, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan.
Hideaki
H
Kakeya
Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto.
Hajime
H
Yamakage
Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto.
Noriko
N
Satoh-Asahara
Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto.
Maki
M
Komiyama
Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto.
Hiromichi
H
Wada
Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto.
Koji
K
Hasegawa
Division of Molecular Medicine, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka; Clinical Research Institute, National Hospital Organization Kyoto Medical Center, Kyoto; Shizuoka General Hospital, Shizuoka.
Tatsuya
T
Morimoto
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001682:Biological Availability; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004339:Drug Compounding; D005260:Female; D065569:Gastrointestinal Absorption; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000097:blood*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; C043392:SERPINA1 protein, human; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D003474:Curcumin
AT-LDL; COPD; atherosclerosis; curcumin