Kevin John, MS: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.
Objectives: Curcumin, a biologically active compound found in small quantities in the herb turmeric, has generationally been used for its medicinal properties. Studies have demonstrated that curcumin has cardioprotective properties. However, to date, there aren’t any reports demonstrating the effectiveness of curcumin in attenuating the development of hypertension that occurs in a diet-induced obese model. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that curcumin treatment would decrease blood pressure in male and female diet-induced obese mice by regulating the activity of angiotensin 1a [AT1a] receptors.
Methods: Activation of At1a receptors is known to augment blood pressure. C57Bl/6 male (n=14) and female (n=14) mice where given ad libitum access to a low fat (10%) or a high fat (60%) diet for 3 months. Two months after feeding, animals were further divided into groups which received daily gavages of a 10% solution of piperine (control) or 300mg of curcumin + piperine (treated) for 30 days. Bodyweight and food intake were measured weekly. Blood pressure was measured at the conclusion of the study using a tail-cuff system.
Results: Our data demonstrated that curcumin treatment significantly reduced caloric intake, body weight and blood pressure in male mice consuming the high fat diet. However, the same response was not observed in female mice. Curcumin treatment didn’t have any influence on male or female animals consuming the low-fat diet. Western blot analysis demonstrated that curcumin treatment decreased the expression AT1a receptors.
Conclusions: Based on the results, these data demonstrate that curcumin treatment can attenuate the onset of obesity-induced hypertension in males by decreasing the expression of AT1a receptor expression.
Funding Sources: Iowa Osteopathic Educational Research Foundation
