Abstract
Intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a serious, commonly occurring reproductive problem in humans. This study aimed to investigate the effects of daily curcumin supplementation during pregnancy on placental inflammation, in a rat model of IUGR. Pregnant rats were divided into three groups based on diet: (1) normal protein (19%) (NP), (2) low protein (8%) (LP), and (3) low protein + 100 mg curcumin/kg bw per day (LPC). The results showed that curcumin accumulation in the serum, placenta and liver. Fetal weight and placental total protein levels were increased in the LPC group compared with those in the LP group. Dietary curcumin supplementation normalized the low protein diet-induced decrease of placental weight, blood sinusoid area, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein expression levels. It also reversed the low protein diet-induced increase of serum triglyceride levels and tumor necrosis factor alpha-like (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations in both the placenta and serum. Additionally, it normalized the enhanced gene expression levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in the LP group to that in the NP group. Furthermore, it downregulated the inhibitor of kappa Balpha (IκBα) and nuclear factor kappa Balpha (NF-κB) phosphorylation. In conclusion, daily curcumin supplementation ameliorates placental inflammation in rats with IUGR by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway.