Serum VCAM-1 reduction by phytosomal curcumin formulation in rats on a high-fat diet

• Published in: Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research 2024-10, Vol.42 (3), p.1060-1071
• Main Authors: Abdul Razzak, Rima, Al Kafaji, Ghada, Khan, Mohammad Nadir, Marwani, Amar Muhsin, Naguib, Yahya M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Abdomen; Body mass index; Energy; Food; Hyperlipidemia; Inflammation; Laboratory animals; Leukocytes; Oils & fats; Statistical analysis; Tumor necrosis factor-TNF; Variance analysis
• ISSN: 1985-9899; 2536-0051
• DOI: 10.1108/AGJSR-02-2023-0092

PurposeThis paper aims to evaluate the effect of consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) rich with total saturated fats on adiposity and serum levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1), a biomarker of endothelial inflammation/dysfunction. Another aim is to evaluate whether supplementation of a phytosomal formulation of curcumin would reduce adiposity measures and sVCAM-1 levels in HFD rats.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted on 17 male rats which were allocated to one of three feeding regimen groups: normal diet (ND); HFD, or HFD with dietary phytosomal curcumin (HFD-C). Anthropometric measures were recorded weekly up to 20 weeks of feeding intervention, at the end of which, sVCAM-1 levels were also compared with one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc analysis.FindingsThe HFD group had the greatest values for raw anthropometric data, and there was a group difference in anthropometric measures, however there was no significant difference between HFD and HFD-C for any measure. The gain at 20 weeks from initial values did reveal significant differences in weight and abdominal circumference between HFD and HFD-C groups. There were significant group differences in sVCAM-1 levels, with only HFD-C displaying significant lower levels than HFD group.Originality/valueThis is the first study that shows the capacity of a phytosomal formulation of curcumin in reducing adiposity and sVCAM-1 levels during daily intake of saturated fats above the recommended level. The results are promising in that this formulation can protect against endothelial inflammation/dysfunction, and can be used as complimentary therapy to suppress dyslipidemia/obesity-related cardiovascular complications.