Effects of turmeric on homocysteine and fetuin-A in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease : a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

Abstract EN

Background: Elevated levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and fetuin-A are important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in patients with a nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

There is limited evidence regarding the effects of turmeric on NAFLD.

Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the effects of turmeric supplementation on serum levels of Hcy and fetuin-A in patients with NAFLD.

Methods: In this double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, 46 NAFLD patients (21 males and 25 females; age range, 20 - 60 years) with body mass index ranged 24.9 - 40 kg/m2 were recruited from Sheikh-ol-Raees clinic in Tabriz City, Iran during Nov 2014- May 2015.

The participants were allocated into the two groups using the block randomization method.

The intervention and control groups received 3g of turmeric (n = 23) and placebo (n = 23), daily for 12 weeks.

Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and at the end of the trial for biochemical analysis.

Results: Turmeric supplementation significantly decreased serum levels of Hcy, compared with the placebo group at the end of the study (by 27.83%, P = 0.034).

No significant difference was observed between the two groups in serum levels of fetuin-A after the intervention (P > 0.05).

Serum levels of glucose, insulin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance were declined significantly in the turmeric group (by 1.22%, 17.69% and 19.48%, P = 0.039, P = 0.013 and P = 0.001, respectively) compared to the placebo.

Conclusions: Turmeric consumption had beneficial effects on serum Hcy levels andmay be useful inmanagement of this risk factor in NAFLD patients.