Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: Diabetes and hypertension frequently occur together. Obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance are thought to be the main risk factors for them. Several spices have been shown to exhibit activity against hypertension and obesity through antioxidant and anti-inlammatory mechanisms. Among them curcumin has shown to be non-toxic and exhibits various bio-logical activities such as anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This study was designed to indicate the effects of curcumin supplementation on blood pressure and BMI in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Forty four patients with type 2 diabetes were supplemented triple daily for 10 week with either a curcumin (1500 mg/day) or a placebo capsule. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured twice in a sitting position on the right arm after 15 min of rest and the mean of the two measurements was considered as the subject’s blood pressure. In addition anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences) were determined and BMI was computed at the baseline and 10 weeks later. The questioners of general characteristics and 24-hour food recall were completed by interview.

Results: Nutrient and fiber intake, drug intake and physical activity of patients did not change during study. No significant differences observed in the mean systolic and DBP within groups and there were no significant differences in the mean systolic and DBP between two groups after 10 weeks of intervention. Also there was no significant difference in BMI between two groups.

Conclusion: This study indicated that daily administration of 1500 mg curcumin in a ten-week period supplementation has no effect on BMI and systolic and DBP in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: curcimin, turmeric, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, obesity