23
Sep
2013

Curcumin And Radiation Treatment


Topic: Curcumin Attenuates Radiation-induced Inflammation and Fibrosis
Keywords: INFLAMMATION, FIBROSIS, RADIATIONCurcumin, Turmeric
Reference: “Curcumin attenuates radiation-induced inflammation and fibrosis in rat lungs,” Cho YJ, Yi Co, et al, Korean J Physiol Pharmacol, 2013 Aug; 17(267-74. (Address: Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju 660-290, Korea).
Summary: In a study involving rats given daily doses of intragastric curcumin (200 mg/kg) prior to a single irradiation and for 8 weeks after radiation, results found significant benefits associated with curcumin treatment. According to histopathologic findings, curcumin led to inhibitions of macrophage accumulation, interstitial edema, alveolar septal thickness, perivascular fibrosis, and collapse in radiation-treated lungs. In addition, curcumin was also found to inhibit radiation-induced TGF-beta1, connective tissue growth factor expression, and collagen accumulation. Furthermore, curcumin was found to lower radiation-induced increases of TNF-alpha, TNF receptor 1, and COX-2, according to western blot analysis. Curcumin was also associated with inhibitions of nuclear translocation of NF-kB p65 in radiation-treated lungs. The authors conclude, “…long-term curcumin administration may reduce lung inflammation and fibrosis caused by radiation treatment.” Additional research is warranted.