Can Nano-Curcumin Pills Safely Prevent Kidney Damage from Cancer Treatment?

Jim Crocker
18th July, 2024

Can Nano-Curcumin Pills Safely Prevent Kidney Damage from Cancer Treatment?

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • A clinical trial at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences tested nano-curcumin's ability to prevent kidney damage in cancer patients treated with cisplatin
  • The study found no significant difference in kidney injury or kidney function markers between patients receiving nano-curcumin and those receiving a placebo
  • The results suggest that the dose and duration of nano-curcumin used in this trial were not effective in preventing cisplatin-induced kidney damage
Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent known for its effectiveness in treating various solid tumors. However, its clinical use is significantly hampered by severe side effects, particularly nephrotoxicity—damage to the kidneys[2]. Previous research has shown that cisplatin's nephrotoxic effects are primarily due to its ability to cause DNA cross-linking, which disrupts cellular functions and leads to cell death[3]. Additionally, cisplatin's entry into renal tubular cells is facilitated by transport proteins, which further contributes to its toxic effects on the kidneys[4]. A recent clinical trial conducted by researchers at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences aimed to evaluate the potential of nano-curcumin, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound derived from Curcuma longa, in preventing cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in cancer patients[1]. This study involved 30 cancer patients undergoing cisplatin treatment, randomly divided into two groups: one receiving nano-curcumin and the other receiving a placebo. The treatment was administered twice daily over four chemotherapy courses, with kidney function monitored throughout the study. The results of this study showed no significant difference in the occurrence of acute kidney injury or in the levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen between the nano-curcumin and placebo groups at the end of each chemotherapy course (P value > 0.05). Although there was a near-significant difference at the end of the first course (P = 0.055), the overall findings indicated that nano-curcumin, at the prescribed dose and duration, was not effective in preventing cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity compared to the placebo. Furthermore, no differences in mortality or recurrence rates were observed during an average follow-up period of 30 months. Previous studies have highlighted the complexity of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, which involves both local kidney damage and systemic effects[3]. For instance, research using rodent models has demonstrated that cisplatin can cause acute kidney injury and tubular damage, leading to electrolyte imbalances[4]. Additionally, cisplatin has been shown to disrupt the regulation of aquaporin water channels in the kidney, contributing to urinary concentration defects[5]. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of cisplatin's nephrotoxic effects and the challenges in developing effective protective strategies. The current study's findings suggest that while nano-curcumin possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, its formulation and dosage in this trial were insufficient to counteract the nephrotoxic effects of cisplatin. This highlights the need for further research with larger sample sizes and varying doses and durations of nano-curcumin to determine its potential efficacy in preventing cisplatin-induced kidney damage. In conclusion, the study conducted by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences provides important insights into the challenges of mitigating cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Although nano-curcumin did not show significant protective effects in this trial, the research underscores the need for continued exploration of alternative strategies to safeguard kidney function in cancer patients undergoing cisplatin treatment. Future studies should build on these findings, exploring different formulations and dosing regimens to better understand the potential of nano-curcumin and other compounds in reducing the adverse effects of this widely used chemotherapeutic agent.

MedicineHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Is oral nano-curcumin formulation a safe and effective measure for preventing cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in cancer patients?

Published 15th July, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1097/CAD.0000000000001639

Related Studies

2) Advances in Toxicological Research of the Anticancer Drug Cisplatin.

https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemrestox.9b00204

3) Cisplatin-Induced Rodent Model of Kidney Injury: Characteristics and Challenges.

https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1462802

4) Cisplatin nephrotoxicity: a review of the literature.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40620-017-0392-z

5) Cisplatin decreases the abundance of aquaporin water channels in rat kidney.

https://doi.org/10.1681/ASN.V125875


Related Articles

An unhandled error has occurred. Reload đź—™