Curcumin could cut plaque build-up linked to Alzheimer’s

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Curcumin could cut plaque build-up linked to Alzheimer’s

By staff reporter

http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?n=71039 & m=2nieo06 & c=xeiqgoegavfxtla

04/10/2006 - Curcumin, found extensively in curries, could boost the

body’s ability to clear the build up of plaques in the brain that are

linked to Alzheimer’s disease, suggest results from a small laboratory

study from the US.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and currently

affects over 13 million people worldwide. The direct and indirect cost

of Alzheimer care is over $100bn (€81bn) in the US alone. The direct

cost of Alzheimer care in the UK was estimated at £15bn (€22bn).

Although the mechanism of Alzheimer's is not clear, significant data

exists supporting the build-up of plaque from beta-amyloid deposits. The

new research appears to indicate that curcumin, the natural pigment that

gives the spice turmeric its yellow colour, could help the body's immune

system clear away these deposits and reduce the risk of developing the

disease.

“Curcumin improved ingestion of amyloid beta by immune cells in 50

percent of patients with Alzheimer's disease. These initial findings

demonstrate that curcumin may help boost the immune system of specific

Alzheimer's disease patients,” said Dr Milan Fiala from the Geffen

School of Medicine at UCLA.

Curcumin has increasingly come under the scientific spotlight in recent

years, with studies investigating its potential benefits for reducing

cholesterol levels, improving cardiovascular health and cancer-fighting

abilities.

The research, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (Vol. 10,

pp. 1-7), adds to this by reporting on a small laboratory study using

blood from six Alzheimer's disease patients (aged 65 to 84) and three

healthy controls. The focus was on macrophages, the ‘foot soldiers' of

the immune system that clean up harmful waste products in the body,

including beta-amyloid deposits.

The isolated macrophages were exposed to a curcumin-derived compound

(provided by phytonutrient manufacturer Sabinsa Corporation) for 24

hours and then introduced beta-amyloid. It was found that macrophages

from three out of six Alzheimer's disease patients showed improved

uptake or ingestion of the waste product compared to the patients'

macrophages not treated with curcumin.

The age of the patient and the stage of the Alzheimer's disease appeared

to be key factors in the effectiveness of the curcumin compound, report

the researchers, with younger patients and patients with early-stage

Alzheimer's apparently more receptive to the benefits.

No effects were reported for the macrophages from the healthy controls

when exposed the curcumin-derived compound.

" We are hopeful that these positive results in a test tube may translate

to clinical use, but more studies need to be done before curcumin can be

recommended,” said Fiala.

The mechanism behind these apparent effects is not clear and significant

further study is needed to further examine the potential effects. Some

caution is also warranted due to curcumin levels in some patients

already being relatively high due to participation in another UCLA study.

" Our next step will be to identify the factors that helped these immune

cells respond, " said co-researcher Zhang from UCLA.

“Immunomodulation of the innate immune system by curcuminoids might be a

safe approach to immune clearance of amyloidosis in Alzheimer's Disease

brain,” concluded the researchers.

The new study extends previous findings examining the neuroprotective

effects of curcumin. Experts recommend however that consumers wishing to

make use of curcumin's properties consume it in supplement form rather

than eating more curries, which tend to be rather high in fat in their

Western form.

The study was funded by the Alzheimer's Disease Association and private

donors.

--

ne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar@... >

" Ask the Parkinson Dietitian " http://www.parkinson.org/

" Eat well, stay well with Parkinson's disease "

" Parkinson's disease: Guidelines for Medical Nutrition Therapy "

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