The Effects of Nano-curcumin Supplementation on Serum Level of hs-CRP, Adhesion Molecules, and Lipid Profiles in Hemodialysis Patients, A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Hemodialysis (HD) patients are considered as a high-risk population for cardiovascular disease, within which morbidity and mortality have been determined to be associated with dyslipidemia, pro-inflammatory cytokines, increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), and adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1). Different markers have been investigated to detect inflammation in hemodialysis patients, as well as the prognostic values of these markers. METHODS: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of nano-curcumin (120 mg) over 12 weeks on hs-CRP levels, adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1), and serum lipid profiles on hemodialysis patients in a randomized controlled clinical trial. RESULTS: The results revealed that the mean serum hs-CRP level in the nano-curcumin group exhibited a decrease by the end of the study, when compared to mean serum hs-CRP level in the placebo group. However, this between-group trend was not found to be statistically significant (P > .05). Nevertheless, a significant difference was determined between the values in the group receiving nano-curcumin, in comparison with the placebo group, at the end of the study (P < .001). Based on the attained results, mean serum levels of VCAM-1 in the nano-curcumin group were significantly reduced at the end of the study, compared with the placebo group (P < .001). Furthermore, the between-group changes comparison showed significant reductions in serum levels of ICAM- 1 in patients treated with nano-curcumin at the end of the study (P < .05). Additionally, though decreases in mean triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C were noted, there were no statistically significant between-group differences (P > .05). Moreover, between-group changes comparison of HDL-C levels and fasting blood sugar did not show any significant changes. CONCLUSION: The current study indicates that nano-curcumin may show beneficial effects in lowering inflammation and hs-CRP levels, as well as adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, VCAM-1), in hemodialysis patients. However, the evidence is still insufficient.

The Protective Effect of Vitamin E on Morphological and Biochemical Alteration Induced by Pre and Postnatal Ethanol Administration in the Testis of Male Rat Offspring: A Three Months Follow-up Study.

BACKGROUND: Dysmorphology and dysfunction caused by prenatal ethanol consumption in different organs of the offspring are wellknown phenomena. The objective of the present study was to explore the antioxidant effect of vitamin E supplementation on testis damage induced by maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy and early postnatal days. METHODS: Pregnant Wistar rats on gestation day 7 were assigned to 3 groups, namely, control, ethanol and ethanol-vitamin E groups. Ethanol-treated rats received 4.5 g/kg BW ethanol once per day from day 7 and the procedure continued through postnatal day 21. Vitamin E group received 300 mg of vitamin E and the same amount of ethanol. The male offspring from each group were anesthetized by 10% chloral hydrate (0.5 ml/kg body weight) on day 21 and 90 (n=8 offspring form each group on day 21 and day 90). The results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. A p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The results revealed significant (p<0.05) changes in oxidative stress parameters, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, as well as testis structural alteration in offspring of ethanol group after 21 and 90 days of birth as compared to the control. Significant amelioration of changes in testis structure, along with restoration of the elevated level of oxidative stress parameters were found in vitamin E-treated animals. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that prenatal and postnatal ethanol-induced toxicity in testis was exerted through oxidative stress and implied that these effects could be alleviated by vitamin E as an antioxidant.