Curcumin supplementation alleviates hepatic fat content associated with modulation of gut microbiota-dependent bile acid metabolism in patients with nonalcoholic simple fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial

He et al., 2024 | Am J Clin Nutr | Rct

Citation

He Youming, Chen Xiaobing, ... Feng Dan. Curcumin supplementation alleviates hepatic fat content associated with modulation of gut microbiota-dependent bile acid metabolism in patients with nonalcoholic simple fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2024-Jul;120(1):66-79. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.05.017

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Our previous studies showed that curcumin prevented hepatic steatosis in animal models. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the effects of curcumin on hepatic fat content, body composition, and gut microbiota-dependent bile acid (BA) metabolism in patients with nonalcoholic simple fatty liver (NASFL). METHODS: In a 24-wk double-blind randomized trial, 80 patients with NASFL received 500 mg/d curcumin or placebo. Hepatic fat content was measured using FibroTouch-based controlled attenuation parameters (CAPs). Microbial composition and BA metabolites were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics. RESULTS: Curcumin consumption significantly reduced CAP value compared with placebo (-17.5 dB/m; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -27.1, -7.8 dB/m; P < 0.001). This corresponded to reduction in weight (-2.6 kg; 95% CI: -4.4, -0.8 kg; P < 0.001) and BMI (-1.0 kg/m2; 95% CI: -2.0, -0.1 kg/m2; P = 0.032) compared with placebo group. Additionally, free fatty acid (-0.12 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.20, -0.04 mmol/L; P = 0.004), triglycerides (-0.29 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.41, -0.14 mmol/L; P < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (-0.06 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.12, -0.01 mmol/L; P = 0.038), hemoglobin A1c (-0.06%; 95% CI: -0.33, -0.01%; P = 0.019), and insulin (-4.94 μU/L; 95% CI: -9.73, -0.15 μU/L; P = 0.043) showed significant reductions in the curcumin group compared with placebo group. Gut microbiota analysis indicated that curcumin significantly decreased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio and significantly increased Bacteroides abundance. Serum levels of deoxycholic acid, the most potent activator of Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5), were significantly elevated after curcumin intervention (37.5 ng/mL; 95% CI: 6.7, 68.4 ng/mL; P = 0.018). Curcumin treatment also increased TGR5 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and serum glucagon-like peptide-1 levels (0.73 ng/mL; 95% CI: 0.16, 1.30 ng/mL; P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: Improvements in gut microbiota-dependent BA metabolism and TGR5 activation after 24-wk curcumin intervention were associated with a reduction in hepatic fat content in patients with NASFL, providing evidence that curcumin is a potential nutritional therapy for NASFL. The trial was registered at www.chictr.org.cn as ChiCTR2200058052.

Key Findings

Curcumin consumption significantly reduced CAP value compared with placebo (-17.5 dB/m; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -27.1, -7.8 dB/m; P < 0.001). This corresponded to reduction in weight (-2.6 kg; 95% CI: -4.4, -0.8 kg; P < 0.001) and BMI (-1.0 kg/m2; 95% CI: -2.0, -0.1 kg/m2; P = 0.032) compared with placebo group. Additionally, free fatty acid (-0.12 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.20, -0.04 mmol/L; P = 0.004), triglycerides (-0.29 mmol/L; 95% CI: -0.41, -0.14 mmol/L; P < 0.001), fasting blood glucose (-

Outcomes Measured

• Requires manual extraction

Population

MeSH Terms

• Humans
• Gastrointestinal Microbiome
• Curcumin
• Male
• Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
• Female
• Middle Aged
• Bile Acids and Salts
• Dietary Supplements
• Double-Blind Method
• Liver
• Adult

Evidence Classification

• Level: Rct
• Publication Types: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
• Vertical: curcumin-metabolic

Provenance

• PMID: 38795741
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.05.017
• PMCID: Not in PMC
• Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09