Acute supplementation with a curcuminoid-based formulation fails to enhance resting or exercise-induced NRF2 activity in males and females

Food Funct. 2024 Oct 28;15(21):10782-10794. doi: 10.1039/d4fo02681k.

Abstract

Purpose: Exercise and (poly)phenols may activate nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), a transcription factor that coordinates antioxidant synthesis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether curcuminoid supplementation augments resting and exercise-induced NRF2 activity. Methods: In a double-blinded, randomised, between-subjects design, 14 males and 12 females performed plyometric exercise (100 drop jumps, 50 squat jumps) following 4 d supplementation with a curcuminoid-based formulation (CUR + EX; n = 13; ∼200 mg d-1 curcuminoids) or a placebo (PLA + EX; n = 13). NRF2/DNA binding in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and plasma cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6], tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]) were measured pre-, post-, 1, 2 h post-exercise. Curcuminoid metabolites were measured 0, 1, 2 h post-administration of a single bolus. Results: Total area under the curve for total curcuminoid metabolites was greater in CUR + EX (p < 0.01), with bioavailability peaking at 2 h post administration (CUR + EX: [0 h] 80.9 ± 117 nM [1 h] 76.6 ± 178.5 nM [2 h] 301.1 ± 584.7 nM; PLA + EX: [0 h] 10.4 ± 1.6 [1 h] 8.5 ± 2.6 [2 h] 10.6 ± 2.1). NRF2 activity did not increase in PLA + EX (p = 0.78) or CUR + EX (p = 0.76); however, curcuminoid metabolite concentrations did positively predict NRF2/DNA binding (R2 = 0.39; p = 0.02). Exercise increased IL-6 (p = 0.03) but TNF-α was unresponsive (p = 0.97) and lower across PLA + EX (p = 0.03). GPX activity was higher in CUR + EX (p < 0.01) but not in PLA + EX (p = 0.94). Conclusion: Supplementation with a curcuminoid-based formulation failed to augment resting or exercise-induced NRF2/DNA binding; however, higher concentrations of curcuminoid metabolites predicted NRF2/DNA binding response, suggesting effects may be dependent on bioavailability.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Curcumin* / pharmacology
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Male
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2* / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Curcumin
  • NFE2L2 protein, human
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Interleukin-6
  • Antioxidants
  • Glutathione Peroxidase