Turmeric Spice May Fight Cystic Fibrosis

A substance found in a popular spice that is responsible for turning curry and mustard yellow, might also help with treating the deadly disease, cystic fibrosis. In a study of mice afflicted with cystic fibrosis, researchers found that deaths were reduced significantly after the mice consumed large amounts of the substance found in the spice turmeric. Results from this study initiated the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to allocate monies for a study on turmeric and its effects on patients. The substance referred to as curcumin can be found in stores in the dietary supplement section. Experts have warned patients against self-medicating because of the lack of knowledge on how excess amounts of curcumin could produce dangerous effects when taken with other medications. Approximately 30,000 American children and young adults are afflicted with cystic fibrosis, which attacks patients’ lungs with heavy mucus, confining bacteria. Most of the deaths from the disease are caused by lung damage or infection. Other effects of the mucus clogs include damaging digestion and vitamin absorption. Methods of treatment have improved dramatically in fighting lung infections and have increased survival rates into the 30s, however the treatment concentrated solely on symptoms. The damage from cystic fibrosis is usually derived from a single genetic defect that distorts a protein named CFTR, whose job is maintaining the balance of the salt content of cells surrounding the lungs and other specified organs. The route of the protein CFTR to a cell’s surface to make openings in order for chloride ions to leave that cell are checked for protein quality, then trapped and taken to another area and kept there until eventually destructed. A gradual salt buildup forms due to the inability of chloride to escape, which then leads to the lethal formation of mucus. Experts thought controlling the route of the protein might help by blocking the cellular police for just enough time to allow CFTR to get to the surface and thus open certain channels for chloride to escape. Over the years, researchers have experimented with two chemicals, phenylbutyrate and a chemical of the caffeine family, to produce the same effect. Although the experiments with calcium-inhibiting chemicals proved to be successful, the chemical incited cancer, so researchers have been searching for a safer drug to use. Findings based on experiments with mice showed: Daily doses of curcumin cut the death rates of mice stricken with cystic fibrosis. The mice carried the same genetic defect that caused the disease in humans, however the mice were found to quickly die from mucus blockers rather than damage to the lungs. A mere 10 percent of the mice given curcumin died within a 10-week time frame while 60 percent of the others not treated with curcumin died within the 10 weeks. Electrical measurements were taken of nasal tissues that were capable of secreting ions and showed significant improvements. Levels in the curcumin-treated mice went from very poor to nearly normal levels. Other test-tube experiments revealed that CFTR was able to reach the cell surface after the addition of curcumin. Researchers are planning to determine the appropriate dose of curcumin and find out specific side effects during the initial stages of future planned patient study. USA Today April 22, 2004