Effects of curcumin on brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and oxidative damage in obesity and diabetes

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of curcumin treatment on protein oxidation (PO), lipid peroxidation (LP) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the hippocampus and frontal cortex (FC) of diabetic db/db mice (DM) and in sera of obese humans. Thus, DM were treated daily with 50 mg/kg of curcumin during an 8-week period. Obese human were treated daily with 500 and 750 mg of curcumin that was administered orally for 12 weeks; BDNF, PO and LP levels in sera were determined at in weeks 0, 2, 6 and 12 of treatment. BDNF levels decreased in hippocampus and FC of DM as compared with untreated wild-type mice. Curcumin improved or restored BDNF levels to normal levels in DM, but curcumin did not have any effect on BDNF levels in sera of obese humans. In hippocampus and FC of DM, hyperglycaemia and curcumin did not have effect on LP levels. Hyperglycaemia increased PO levels in hippocampus and FC, whereas curcumin decreased these levels in hippocampus but not in FC. In sera of obese humans, the 500-mg dose decreased LP levels in weeks 6 and 12 when compared with basal levels, but the 750-mg dose did not have any effect; both doses of curcumin decreased PO levels in weeks 2, 6 and 12 of treatment when compared with basal levels. Present results suggest a therapeutic potential of curcumin to decrease oxidation caused by obesity in humans and also show that curcumin restores BDNF levels in DM.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor plasma levels and premature cognitive impairment/dementia in type 2 diabetes

“…The progressive loss of renal function could make it necessary for the patient to receive renal replacement therapy such as hemodialysis, and the progressive loss of circulating levels of BDNF should be prevented in patients with DM2 to avoid premature cognitive decline. There have been several experimental studies with curcumin[40] and resveratrol, both of which increase serum BDNF levels. Curcumin has an antidepressant effect, mediated by its antioxidant activity and up-regulation of phosphor Akt and mTOR levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex[41].…”

Mitochondrial content, oxidative, and nitrosative stress in human full-term placentas with gestational diabetes mellitus

“…In total homogenate of placenta tissue, lipid peroxidation levels were quantified with the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) assay as we previously described [16, 17]. …”

Curcumin Modulates Molecular Chaperones and Autophagy-Lysosomal Pathways In Vitro after Exposure to Aβ42

“…It has been reported that higher concentration of Cur can induce neuronal apoptosis and act as an anti-cancer agent [46][47][48]. Although the mechanistic details of how Cur restored HSPs after Aβ42 exposure, or how they induce HSPs in SH-SY5Y cells, is still unclear to us, one possible explanation may be that Cur treatments confer neuroprotection by secreting several growth factors, including BDNF, NGF and IGF [49][50][51]. Although we did not investigate these neurotropic factors in the present study, we found Cur restores BDNF in other animal models of neurodegenerative diseases.…”