Curcumin supplementation combined with high intensity interval training modulates serum irisin and lipid profile in obese women: "A randomized double-blind clinical trial"

Background: Curcumin is the most widely known active substance of turmeric extract, which attributed numerous functional properties, including anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties. Inactivity and changes in lifestyle and subsequent overweight/obesity are becoming major health risk factors. Objective: the aim of this study was to determine the effect of curcumin supplementation combined with high intensity interval trainings (HIIT) exercise on serum irisin and lipid profile in obese women. Methods: 40 inactive women (aged 30-35 years, and body mass index 30 and above) allocated in four groups (10 in each) as followed; curcumin (C), exercise plus curcumin (EC), placebo (P), and exercise plus placebo (EP). All subjects completed an eight-week HIIT program. The C and EC groups received one capsule containing 80 mg curcumin nanomicelle daily throughout study. Blood samples were taken in the beginning and after eight weeks to measure changes in the study variables (irisin and lipid profile). The ANCOVA and Bonferroni's post hoc test was used to compare variables between 4 groups and pairwise at a significance level of ≤0.05 using SPSS-22. Results: The results revealed that mean serum irisin (p = 0.023), cholesterol (p = 0.019), triglyceride (p = 0.022), high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.009) and low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.011) were significantly changed in all intervention groups compared to the placebo group. Conclusion: Based on these results, it can be concluded that HIIT training with curcumin consumption has a greater significancy on obesity reduction in women; Therefore, curcumin and HIIT exercise can be considered as a therapeutic approach to reduce the negative outcomes of obesity. Clinical trial registry number: IRCT20141004019397N2, link. Statement of significance: This study investigated the effects of curcumin supplementation combined with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on human serum Irisin levels for the first time, in a clinical randomized trial. This suggests that HIIT training alongside curcumin consumption may be a promising therapeutic approach to reduce the negative health consequences of obesity in women.