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.

No abstract

This study demonstrates the possible efficacy of turmeric in decreasing hs-CRP and uremic pruritus in end stage renal disease patients. Future studies are needed to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of turmeric.

Oxidative stress is considered as a major player in uremia-associated morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of turmeric on oxidative stress markers in HD patients. This study was a prospective and double-blind randomized clinical trial. Fifty HD patients aged 18-60 years were recruited after fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Patients were randomly categorized into 2 groups: trial group received turmeric and control group received placebo for 8 weeks. Each patient in the trial group received turmeric, whereas the control group received starch for the same 8 weeks. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), red blood cell (RBC) antioxidant enzyme activities as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, albumin, and hemoglobin were also measured before and after study. Although MDA level was reduced in both groups, the ratio of decrease was significantly higher in the turmeric group (0.2 vs. 0.1, P = 0.040). Three enzymes of GPX, GR, and CAT levels were increased in both groups; the ratio of increased was significantly higher in the turmeric group for the CAT enzyme (0.73 vs. 0.54; P = 0.02). Also, significant elevation of albumin level in the turmeric group compared with the control group was observed (P = 0.001). Regular ingestion of turmeric reduces plasma MDA and increases RBC CAT activity and plasma albumin levels in HD patients. Turmeric showed no adverse effects.

Background The incidence of accelerated atherosclerosis among patients on hemodialysis is very high and oxidative stress is a potentially major contributor to their morbidity and mortality. Objective To evaluate the effects of Silymarin and/or vitamin E on oxidative stress markers and hemoglobin level in patients on hemodialysis. Methods Eighty patients on hemodialysis were randomized into 4 groups: Group 1 received Silymarin 140 mg 3 times daily; Group 2 received Vitamin E 400 IU/day; Group 3 received Silymarin 140 mg 3 times daily and Vitamin E 400 IU/day; Group 4 was the control. Samples were obtained at baseline and on day 21 for measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), RBC glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and hemoglobin. Results Combination of Silymarin and vitamin E led to a reduction in the MDA levels (7.84±1.84 vs. 9.20±2.74 nmol/ml; p=0.008). There was a significant increase in RBC GPX levels in all treatment groups compared to controls after 3 weeks. This was more pronounced in the group receiving combination compared to vitamin E or the control group (5.78±3.51, 4.22±1.63, and 3.16±1.89 Iu/gr-Hb respectively; p<0.001). There was also a significant increase in mean hemoglobin of all treatment groups compared to control. Conclusions Oral supplementation with Silymarin and vitamin E leads to reduction in MDA, increase in RBC GPX and increase in hemoglobin levels in patients with ESRD. Studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up are required to investigate the effect of Silymarin on cardiovascular outcomes, and erythropoietin requirement.