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Drug Res (Stuttg) 2015; 65(11): 567-573
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1389986
Original Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Short-term Curcuminoid Supplementation for Chronic Pulmonary Complications due to Sulfur Mustard Intoxication: Positive Results of a Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial

Y. Panahi
1   Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
,
M. Ghanei
1   Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
,
S. Bashiri
1   Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
,
A. Hajihashemi
1   Chemical Injuries Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
,
A. Sahebkar
2   Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
3   Metabolic Research Centre, Royal Perth Hospital, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 03 July 2014

accepted 21 August 2014

Publication Date:
30 September 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Pulmonary problems are among the most frequent chronic complications of sulfur mustard (SM) intoxication and are often accompanied by deregulated production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Curcuminoids, comprising curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, are phytochemicals with remarkable anti-inflammatory properties that are derived from dried rhizomes of the plant Curcuma longa L. (turmeric). The present pilot study aimed to investigate the clinical effects of supplementation with curcuminoids on markers of pulmonary function and systemic inflammation in SM-intoxicated subjects. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 89 male subjects who were suffering from chronic SM-induced pulmonary complications were recruited and assigned to either curcuminoids (500 mg TID per oral; n=45) or placebo (n=44) for a period of 4 weeks. Efficacy measures were changes in the spirometric parameters (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC) and serum levels of inflammatory mediators including interleukins 6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), substance P and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). 78 subjects completed the trial. Although FEV1 and FVC remained comparable between the groups, there was a greater effect of curcuminoids vs. placebo in improving FEV1/FVC (p=0.002). Curcuminoids were also significantly more efficacious compared to placebo in modulating all assessed inflammatory mediators: IL-6 (p<0.001), IL-8 (p=0.035), TNFα (p<0.001), TGFβ (p<0.001), substance P (p=0.016), hs-CRP (p<0.001), CGRP (p<0.001) and MCP-1 (p<0.001). Curcuminoids were safe and well-tolerated throughout the trial. Short-term adjunctive therapy with curcuminoids can suppress systemic inflammation in patients suffering from SM-induced chronic pulmonary complications.

Key words

randomized controlled trial - sulfur mustard - curcumin - cytokine - inflammation - respiratory function
 

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