Curcumin Lowers Serum Lipids and Uric Acid in Subjects With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common hepatic diseases in the general adult population. Dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia, and insulin resistance are common risk factors and accompanying features of NAFLD. Curcumin is a dietary natural product with beneficial metabolic effects relevant to the treatment of NAFLD.

Aim: To assess the effects of curcumin on metabolic profile in subjects with NAFLD.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with NAFLD (grades 1-3; according to liver sonography) were randomly assigned to curcumin (1000 mg/d in 2 divided doses) (n = 50) or control (n = 52) group for a period of 8 weeks. All patients received dietary and lifestyle advises before the start of trial. Anthropometric measurements, lipid profile, glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin, and uric acid concentrations were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks of follow-up.

Results: Eighty-seven subjects (n = 44 and 43 in the curcumin and control group, respectively) completed the trial. Supplementation with curcumin was associated with a reduction in serum levels of total cholesterol (P < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.001), triglycerides (P < 0.001), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.001), and uric acid (P < 0.001), whereas serum levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and glucose control parameters remained unaltered. Curcumin was safe and well tolerated during this study.

Conclusion: Results of the present trial suggest that curcumin supplementation reduces serum lipids and uric acid concentrations in patients with NAFLD.