Role of turmeric in oxidative modulation in end-stage renal disease patients

Oxidative stress is considered as a major player in uremia-associated morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of turmeric on oxidative stress markers in HD patients. This study was a prospective and double-blind randomized clinical trial. Fifty HD patients aged 18-60 years were recruited after fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Patients were randomly categorized into 2 groups: trial group received turmeric and control group received placebo for 8 weeks. Each patient in the trial group received turmeric, whereas the control group received starch for the same 8 weeks. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), red blood cell (RBC) antioxidant enzyme activities as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), and catalase (CAT), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, albumin, and hemoglobin were also measured before and after study. Although MDA level was reduced in both groups, the ratio of decrease was significantly higher in the turmeric group (0.2 vs. 0.1, P=0.040). Three enzymes of GPX, GR, and CAT levels were increased in both groups; the ratio of increased was significantly higher in the turmeric group for the CAT enzyme (0.73 vs. 0.54; P=0.02). Also, significant elevation of albumin level in the turmeric group compared with the control group was observed (P=0.001). Regular ingestion of turmeric reduces plasma MDA and increases RBC CAT activity and plasma albumin levels in HD patients. Turmeric showed no adverse effects.