Obesity-Associated Inflammation: Does Curcumin Exert a Beneficial Role?

Abstract

Curcumin is a lipophilic polyphenol, isolated from the plant turmeric of Curcuma longa. Curcuma longa has always been used in traditional medicine in Asian countries because it is believed to have numerous health benefits. Nowadays it is widely used as spice component and in emerging nutraceutical food worldwide. Numerous studies have shown that curcumin possesses, among others, potential anti-inflammatory properties. Obesity represents a main risk factor for several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some types of cancer. The establishment of a low-grade chronic inflammation, both systemically and locally in adipose tissue, occurring in obesity most likely represents a main factor in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases. The molecular mechanisms responsible for the onset of the obesity-associated inflammation are different from those involved in the classic inflammatory response caused by infections and involves different signaling pathways. The inflammatory process in obese people is triggered by an inadequate intake of nutrients that produces quantitative and qualitative alterations of adipose tissue lipid content, as well as of various molecules that act as endogenous ligands to activate immune cells. In particular, dysfunctional adipocytes secrete inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, the adipocytokines, able to recruit immune cells into adipose tissue, amplifying the inflammatory response also at systemic level. This review summarizes the most recent studies focused at elucidating the molecular targets of curcumin activity responsible for its anti-inflammatory properties in obesity-associated inflammation and related pathologies.

The Demethoxy Derivatives of Curcumin Exhibit Greater Differentiation Suppression in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes Than Curcumin: A Mechanistic Study of Adipogenesis and Molecular Docking

“…We found that adipocyte viability was not significantly affected by curcuminoids at concentrations ≤ 20 µM, demonstrating that these compounds suppressed adipogenesis through means other than apoptosis induced by membrane lysis. Curcumin is reported to attenuate obesity-related disorders via different mechanisms, such as transcription factors, cellular receptors, growth factors, cytokines, and chemokines [16]. An increase in adipose tissue is generated by the increased size and number of lipid droplets in adipocytes [17].…”

“…Curcumin can directly interact with a wide range of biomolecules, such as transcription factors, cellular receptors, and enzymes, for attenuating obesity-related disorders via different signaling mechanisms [16,44]. Curcumin is proved to inhibit the mRNA level of adipogenic transcription factors, particularly PPARγ and C/EBPα, in the early stage of adipocyte differentiation [45].…”

Does chronic inflammation cause acute inflammation to spiral into hyper‐inflammation in a manner modulated by diet and the gut microbiome, in severe Covid‐19?

“…In the context of this paper and its focus on pre-existing CHRi in individuals, it must be noted that there is an intimate connection between obesity and CHRi. Obesity gives rise to inflammation, and inflammation also gives rise to obesity; [133][134][135] the reason being that adipocytes secrete PI cytokines that promote further adipocyte growth, giving rise to a feedback loop that leads to increase in CHRi once obesity sets in, with involvement of the liver, and of the acute phase proteins, in this feedback loop. [136] It seems likely that this is related to nutrition, diet and lifestyle.…”

Significance of Sex Differences in ncRNAs Expression and Function in Pregnancy and Related Complications

“…These findings indicate that placental adaption to maternal environmental stimuli can influence fetus programming with long-term effects [ 57 ]. Of note, the plasticity of the placenta allows fetal signals to influence in a sex-specific manner maternal health as well [ 4 ]. However, the complex interaction between placental function and fetal development is not well known.…”

“…It is well known that fetal growth and development occur in a sexually dimorphic manner [ 3 ]. However, growing evidence indicates that fetal sex differently influences the course of pregnancy and associated complications, as well maternal health [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Although ethnic differences exist in the maternal response, several data indicate that women carrying a male show an increased risk of gestational diabetes (GDM), placental abruption [ 7 , 8 ], and preterm birth [ 9 ], whereas gestational hypertension/preeclampsia (PE) appear to be linked to carrying a female fetus [ 10 ].…”