Tumeric Effective for Reducing Excess Proteins and Key Hormones Associated with Kidney Disease in Type 2 Diabetics

Results from a clinical trial conducted at the Diabetes Clinic of the Outpatient Department of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences published in May 2011 Urology and Nephrology suggest that turmeric improves the severity of diabetic nephropathy by reducing proteinuria and suppressing transformative growth hormone-beta and internleukin-8.

Diabetic nephropathy, also known as Kimmelstiel-Wilson syndrome, is a progressive kidney disease that damages the capillaries in the kidneys. It is a prime indicator for dialysis treatment.

The published trial was made up of 40 patients divided equally two groups,a trial group and a control group. Both groups received 3 capsules daily for 2 months to be taken with meals. The trial group patients received capsules containing 500 mg of turmeric, 22.1mg of which was the active ingredient curcumin.The control groups' capsules were identical in color and size to the trial groups' but contained only starch. Transformative growth hormone-beta, IL8 and urinary protein excretion decreased significantly when pre- and post-turmeric supplementation values were compared. No adverse effects related to turmeric were noted during the trial.

Transformative growth hormone-beta plays a crucial a role in healthy tissue regeneration, cell differentiation, embryonic development and regulation of the immune system. However, uncontrolled transformative growth hormone-beta suppresses the immune system, and promotes the growth of tumor blood supply.

Internleukin-8 can cause recruitment of inflammatory cells making it a key factor for localized inflammation.

It was concluded that short-term turmeric supplementation can reduce excess protein, TGF and internleukin-8 in type 2 diabetes patients with diabetic nephropathy. Tumeric can be administered as a safe, additional therapy.

Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21627399