Efficiency of Curcumin in Preventing Ischemia-Reperfusion Damage in Aortic Vascular Endothelial Cells

Mehmet S. Aydın¹, Sakine Sönmez¹, Nazım Kankılıç¹, Ezhar Ersözt¹, İsmail Koyuncu², Hamza Karabağ³

¹School of Harran University, Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Şanliurfa, - ²Medical School of Harran University, Department of Biochemistry, Şanliurfa, - ³Medical School of Harran University, Department of Neurosurgery, Şanliurfa

Objective: Turmeric (Curcuma longa, turmeric, Indian saffron) is a widely used herb in China and India. Curcumin, the most active ingredient in this plant, has been shown to have protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion damage. In our study, the effects of curcumin on the vascular endothelium in ischemia-reperfusion injury in the abdominal aorta were investigated.

Methods: Fifteen Wistar-albino rats were divided into three groups, as sham, control and treatment (curcumin group). Abdominal aortic ischemia was applied to the control and curcumin groups for 60 minutes. Curcumin was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 200 mg / kg to the curcumin group 5 minutes before reperfusion. Afterwards, a 60-minute reperfusion period was applied to both groups. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) in blood serum were measured. Aortic endothelial tissue was examined histopathologically and endothelial damage was scored and compared. 

Results: It was observed that TAC, TOS and OSI activities in blood samples were significantly decreased in sham and curcumin groups compared to the control group (p <0.05). There was no difference in vascular endothelial damage scores in sham, curcumin and control groups (p> 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed no lesions in the curcumin and control groups. Curcumin administration therefore reduces oxidative stress in ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Conclusion: It was thought that the aortic tissue was more resistant to I / R damage due to possible perfusion differences. Curcumin preserves blood oxidative parameters but does not prevent vascular pathology. In future studies, the effects of curcumin on the vascular endothelium in ischemia-reperfusion injury will be better understood.