AIMS: To evaluate the effect of curcumin treatment on hepatic fat content in obese individuals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a double-blind, parallel-group trial, 37 obese, non-diabetic individuals were randomised to placebo or curcumin treatment for six weeks. Curcumin was dosed as lecithin-formulated tablet; 200 mg twice daily. Primary endpoint was hepatic fat content as assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Other endpoints included anthropometric measurements, hepatic biomarkers including FibroScan® measurements, metabolic parameters, inflammation markers, appetite measures and ad libitum food intake.

RESULTS: Baseline characteristics (mean ± SD): age 46 ±14 years; hepatic fat content 12.2 ± 8.8 percent points; body mass index 38.8 ±6.1 kg/m 2 ; waist circumference 125.8 ± 12.3 cm. After six weeks treatment with curcumin, hepatic fat content was changed by -0.86 percent points (95% CI -3.65;1.94) compared to 0.71 percent points (95% CI -2.08;3.51) with placebo, thus resulting in a non-significant estimated treatment difference of -1.57 percent points (95% CI -5.36; 2.22, P = 0.412). Compared to placebo, curcumin treatment caused small reductions in fasting plasma glucose (estimated treatment difference (ETD) -0.24 mmol/L (95% CI -0.45; -0.03)), triglycerides (ETD (percentage change) -20.22% (95% CI -33.21; -6.03)), and gamma glutamyltransferase (ETD (percentage change) -15.70 (95% CI -23.32; -7.32)), but except for gamma glutamyltransferase, none of these differences remained statistically significant after adjusting for multiple testing. Treatment was well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS: Compared to placebo, curcumin treatment for six weeks had no significant effect on MRS-assessed hepatic fat content in obese individuals with primarily mild steatosis. Curcumin was well tolerated. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.