The effects of curcumin and Lactobacillus acidophilus on certain hormones and insulin resistance in rats with metabolic syndrome

Five groups were formed in the study. Fructose (20%) was administered with drinking water for 8 weeks to develop metabolic syndrome. For treatment, curcumin (100 mg/kg/day) and L. acidophilus (2 × 10⁸ cfu/ml/day) were given individually or in combination for the last four weeks. At the end of the experiment; insulin, resistin, leptin, adipokines, apelin and nitric oxide levels were determined by ELISA test kits. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, albumin and total protein levels were determined by autoanalyzer.

The levels of apelin, resistin, glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the fructose added to drinking water groups whereas curcumin and L. acidophilus probiotics given individually or together groups for treatment started to decrease and the nitric oxide level decreased significantly. Insulin resistance was found to be significantly higher in the group with metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance developed. In the curcumin and probiotics given group, it was determined that the insulin resistance score was lowered compared to the group only given fructose. The administration of L. acidophilus probiotic and curcumin in rats with metabolic syndrome caused by fructose improves hormone levels and reduces insulin resistance.

These results showed that the addition of dietary curcumin as an antioxidant and probiotic could provide a natural alternative for the treatment of metabolic syndrome induced by fructose.