Asadollah Mohammadi1,2, Shadi Zamanian Yazdi3, Zohreh Poursina2, Ian N Hampson4, Veda Vakili5, Amirhossein Sahebkar6,7,8, Mohammad Mehdi Akbarien2, Hamidreza Rahimi9, Rosita Vakili2, Reza Boostani10, Houshang Rafatpanah11. 1. Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran. 2. Immunology Research Center, Division of Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 3. Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 4. Division of Cancer Sciences, Manchester University, Manchester, UK. 5. Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 6. Applied Biomedical Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 7. Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 8. School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 9. Molecular Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. 10. Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Boostanir@mums.ac.ir. 11. Immunology Research Center, Division of Inflammation and Inflammatory Diseases, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Rafatpanahh@mums.ac.ir.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: HTLV-1 infection causes a chronic, progressive, demyelinating, neuroinflammatory disease called HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Treatment of HAM/TSP patients which have high levels of proviral load and pro-inflammatory markers is a challenge for clinicians. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects of curcumin in HAM/TSP patients. METHODS: In this study, 20 newly diagnosed HAM/TSP patients (2 men and 18 women) were enrolled and evaluated for clinical symptoms, HTLV-1 proviral load, Tax and HBZ expression, neopterin serum concentration, and complete blood count (CBC) before and 12 weeks after treatment with nanomicellar curcumin (80 mg/day, orally). RESULTS: Clinical symptoms such as the mean Osame Motor Disability Score and Ashworth Spasticity Scale Score were significantly improved after the treatment (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001). Sensory symptoms such as pain and paresthesia were significantly decreased in all of the patients (P = 0.001). Furthermore, urinary disorders, including urinary frequency, incontinence, and the feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, were significantly improved (P = 0.001, P = 0.003, and P = 0.03). However, the mean HTLV-1 proviral load (P = 0.97) and CBC were similar, whereas Tax, HBZ, and neopterin levels tend to increase after the treatment (P = 0.004, P = 0.08, and P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that curcumin can safely improve the clinical symptoms of HAM/TSP patients but has no observable positive effects on the HTLV-1 proviral load, Tax, and HBZ expression. Therefore, prolonged use or the use of curcumin with antiviral agents in addition to clinical signs and symptoms can reduce the HTLV-1 proviral load and the expression of functional viral factors such as Tax and HBZ.
BACKGROUND: HTLV-1 infection causes a chronic, progressive, demyelinating, neuroinflammatory disease called HTLV-1-associated myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP). Treatment of HAM/TSP patients which have high levels of proviral load and pro-inflammatory markers is a challenge for clinicians. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral effects of curcumin in HAM/TSP patients. METHODS: In this study, 20 newly diagnosed HAM/TSP patients (2 men and 18 women) were enrolled and evaluated for clinical symptoms, HTLV-1 proviral load, Tax and HBZ expression, neopterin serum concentration, and complete blood count (CBC) before and 12 weeks after treatment with nanomicellar curcumin (80 mg/day, orally). RESULTS: Clinical symptoms such as the mean Osame Motor Disability Score and Ashworth Spasticity Scale Score were significantly improved after the treatment (P = 0.001 and P = 0.001). Sensory symptoms such as pain and paresthesia were significantly decreased in all of the patients (P = 0.001). Furthermore, urinary disorders, including urinary frequency, incontinence, and the feeling of incomplete bladder emptying, were significantly improved (P = 0.001, P = 0.003, and P = 0.03). However, the mean HTLV-1 proviral load (P = 0.97) and CBC were similar, whereas Tax, HBZ, and neopterin levels tend to increase after the treatment (P = 0.004, P = 0.08, and P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that curcumin can safely improve the clinical symptoms of HAM/TSP patients but has no observable positive effects on the HTLV-1 proviral load, Tax, and HBZ expression. Therefore, prolonged use or the use of curcumin with antiviral agents in addition to clinical signs and symptoms can reduce the HTLV-1 proviral load and the expression of functional viral factors such as Tax and HBZ.
Authors: Denise Utsch Gonçalves; Fernando Augusto Proietti; João Gabriel Ramos Ribas; Marcelo Grossi Araújo; Sônia Regina Pinheiro; Antônio Carlos Guedes; Anna Bárbara F Carneiro-Proietti Journal: Clin Microbiol Rev Date: 2010-07 Impact factor: 26.132