The Curcumin Supplementation with Piperine Can Influence the Acute Elevation of Exercise-Induced Cytokines: Double-Blind Crossover Study

Abstract

Background: to evaluate the effects of one week of supplementation with curcumin combined with piperine on physical performance, immune system cell counts, muscle damage, and plasma levels of inflammatory markers after a treadmill running training session. Methods: This study is a double-blind, crossover-balanced clinical trial with a three-week intervention. Sixteen male runners with a mean age of 36 ± 9 years and VO2 max of 60.6 ± 9.03 mL.kg −1 min −1 were recruited and randomly divided into 2 groups: the first group (CPG) was supplemented daily for 7 days with 500 mg of curcumin + 20 mg piperine, and the second group (PG) was supplemented with 540 mg of cellulose. After the 7th day of supplementation, the volunteers participated in the experimental running protocol, where blood samples were collected before, after, and one hour after exercise for analysis of the number of leukocytes, creatine kinase, and cytokine concentration (IL-2, TNF-α, IFN, IL-6, and IL-10) using flow cytometry. This process was repeated, reversing the supplementation offered to the groups. Results: curcumin and piperine supplementation could not change the physical performance, immune cell counts, and muscle damage; however, the aerobic fatiguing exercise protocol inhibited the elevation of the plasmatic levels of some cytokines. The running exercise protocol could elevate the circulating levels of IL-2 (from 49.7 to 59.3 pg/mL), TNF-α (from 48.5 to 51.5 pg/mL), INF (from 128.8 to 165.0 pg/mL), IL-6 (from 63.1 to 77.3 pg/mL), and IL-10 (from 48.9 to 59.6 pg/mL) 1 h after the end of the running protocol. However, the curcumin and piperine supplementation could inhibit this elevation. Conclusions: curcumin and piperine supplementation had no effect on physical performance, immune cell counts, or muscle damage; however, the supplementation could modulate the kinetics of IL-2, TNF-α, INF, IL-6, and IL-10 1 h after the end of exercise.

Curcumin Formulations for Better Bioavailability: What We Learned from Clinical Trials Thus Far?

“…For instance, supplementation with curcumin/piperine (500 mg-2g/day curcumin plus 5−20 mg/day piperine) formulation resulted in a significant reduction in ubiquitin, muscle atrophy F box (MAFbx)/atrogin-1, chymotrypsin-like protease, interleukin 2 (IL-2), TNF-α, INF, IL-6, IL-10, and enhancement in bioavailability, safety, tolerability, and delayed onset of muscle soreness in healthy subjects without adverse side effects. 55,69,70 In patients with arsenic-induced oxidative stress, this formulation effectively decreased DNA damage, ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, and improved antioxidant capacity. 71 In another study, the administration of curcumin (1.5 mg/day) and piperine (5 mg/day) for 2 months resulted in the efficient alleviation of IL-6 and improvement in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and asthma control test scores in bronchial asthma patients compared to those who received regular asthma drugs.…”

“…Early attempts to increase absorption of curcumin included the addition of turmeric oil (BCM-95; BioCurcumax; Curcugreen), a small amount of piperine (curcumin C3 complex) to stimulate the gastrointestinal system, prevent curcumin efflux and inhibit hepatic and intestinal glucuronidation, or as a turmeric oleoresin (Curcugen). ,, All of these formulations have shown incremental improvement in curcumin absorption and efficacy clinically (Table , Figure ). For instance, supplementation with curcumin/piperine (500 mg-2g/day curcumin plus 5–20 mg/day piperine) formulation resulted in a significant reduction in ubiquitin, muscle atrophy F box (MAFbx)/atrogin-1, chymotrypsin-like protease, interleukin 2 (IL-2), TNF-α, INF, IL-6, IL-10, and enhancement in bioavailability, safety, tolerability, and delayed onset of muscle soreness in healthy subjects without adverse side effects. ,, …”

“…For instance, supplementation with curcumin/piperine (500 mg-2g/day curcumin plus 5–20 mg/day piperine) formulation resulted in a significant reduction in ubiquitin, muscle atrophy F box (MAFbx)/atrogin-1, chymotrypsin-like protease, interleukin 2 (IL-2), TNF-α, INF, IL-6, IL-10, and enhancement in bioavailability, safety, tolerability, and delayed onset of muscle soreness in healthy subjects without adverse side effects. 55 , 69 , 70 …”

A Single Bout of Fatiguing Aerobic Exercise Induces Similar Pronounced Immunological Responses in Both Sexes

“…The treadmill automatically increased the speed until reaching the individual prescribed speed. The participants performed the constant exercise at an intensity corresponding to 77%–80% of VO 2max until they had voluntarily fatigued (e.g., inability to maintain the predetermined speed or a score of 10 on the perceived exertion scale) or asked to stop exercising ( Miranda-Castro et al, 2022 ). Throughout the exercise protocol, the volunteers could drink water ad libitum but did not have access to information such as speed, running time, and heart rate.…”

Alleviation of Cognitive and Physical Fatigue with Enzymatic Porcine Placenta Hydrolysate Intake through Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Intensely Exercised Rats

“…Various foods to alleviate fatigue have been commercialized in the market. They aim to reduce oxidative stress, inflammation, and catecholamine levels and improve dopaminergic receptor activation and neurotropic factor expression [ 12 , 13 ]. Most contain proteins, peptides, amino acids, taurine, oligosaccharides, polyphenols, vitamin C, and caffeine [ 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”