Investigation of protective effects of turmeric (curcuma longa) at rat liver on metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a pathophysiologic entity which is characterised by insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension and obesity. This sydrome, considered to occur as a result of sedentary lifestyle, changes in dietary habits, genetic and environmental factors, is seen more and more in the world and in our country. Turmeric, as known hint safranı which is thought to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic effects. It could decrease blood pressure, also, its antioxidant activitiy prevents LDL cholesterol from oxidation, reduces total cholesterol and triglycerid leves and regulates blood glucose in diabetes. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of turmeric on antioxidant parameters and vitamin levels of turmeric in the course of metabolic syndrome formation with high fructose diet and insulin resistance and oxidative stress in pathogenesis. In study, 32 female adults (8 weekaged) Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=8); control (K), metabolic syndrome (MS), turmeric (Z) and metabolic syndrome plus turmeric (MS+Z). Metabolic syndrome was induced by fructose solution 20% in tap water, and turmeric was administered at the dose of 80 mg/kg daily by oral gavage. Body weights and water consuptions were measured weekly. Systolic blood pressures (SBP) were measured by Tail- Cuff method at the beginning of the study, at the end of 4th and 8th weeks. After the experimental period of 8 weeks, rats were decapitated and blood samples were collected. Serum glucose, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, uric acid, levels and liver vitamin levels and the activities of SOD, CAT were measured. Changes in the liver were examined histologically. At the end of the experiment, the rats weight gain and water consumptions were found higher in metabolic syndrome ve metabolic syndrome plus turmeric groups compared to the control and turmeric groups. Systolic blood pressure increased in metabolic syndrome group compared to the control group and reduction was found in metabolic syndrome plus zerdeçal group compared to metabolic syndrome group. It was found that serum glucose, LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, uricacid levels increased, liver SOD and CAT activities reduced in metabolic syndrome group compared to the control group. Also SOD and CAT activities increased in MS+Z group when compared to metabolic syndrome group. Liver vitamin levels were elevated in MS+Z group than MS group. Histologically, it was observed that the damage in MS group decreased in MS + Z group. These findings show that turmeric application can have protective effects against oxidative stress and vitamin levels in the process of metabolic syndrome formation. However, by making more detailed studies, it may be suggested the clinicaluse of treatment approaches depend on turmeric usage.