The Effect of Curcumin on Iron Overload in Patients with Beta-Thalassemia Intermedia

Background: beta-thalassemia is an inherited disorder that stems from a defect in beta-globin chain synthesis. Iron overload toxicity is one of the major clinical complications in beta-thalassemia that may be due to a reduction in the hepcidin level. As a result, intestinal iron absorption increases and finally iron overload occurs. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of curcumin on serum iron status, ferritin, and transferrin in patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia. Methods: This study was a randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Before and after the intervention period with curcumin, 5 ml blood was taken for the measurement of the entire index related to iron status. Results: Our results demonstrated the levels of serum iron (p-value < 0.001), ferritin (p-value = 0.002), and transferrin saturation (p-value < 0.001) significantly decreased in the curcumin group compared to placebo. Conclusions: The data presented in this article show that curcumin supplementation would be effective in alleviating iron overload in patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia. (Clin. Lab. 2022;68:xx-xx. DOI: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2021.210629)

Automated summary

Curcumin supplementation has been shown to effectively alleviate iron overload in patients with beta-thalassemia intermedia.