The effect of micro-particle curcumin on chronic kidney disease progression: the MPAC-CKD randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin is a commonly used herbal supplement with anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties. Animal studies and small human trials suggest curcumin reduces albuminuria in patients with chronic kidney disease. Micro-particle curcumin is a new, more bioavailable formulation of curcumin.

METHODS: To determine whether micro-particle curcumin versus placebo slows the progression of albuminuric chronic kidney disease we conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 6-month follow-up. We included adults with albuminuria (a random urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio >30 mg/mmol [265 mg/g] or a 24-hour urine collection with more than 300 mg of protein) and an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 15 and 60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 within the 3 months before randomization. We randomly allocated participants 1:1 to receive micro-particle curcumin capsules (90 mg/day) or matching placebo for 6 months. After randomization. The co-primary outcomes were the changes in albuminuria and the eGFR.

RESULTS: We enrolled 533 participants, but 4/265 participants in the curcumin group and 15/268 in the placebo group withdrew consent or became ineligible. The 6-month change in albuminuria did not differ significantly between the curcumin and placebo groups (geometric mean ratio 0.94, 97.5% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82 to 1.08, P = .32). Similarly, the 6-month change in eGFR did not differ between groups (mean between-group difference -0.22 mL/min per 1.73m2, 97.5% CI: -1.38 to 0.95, P = 0.68).

CONCLUSIONS: Ninety milligrams of micro-particle curcumin daily did not slow the progression of albuminuric chronic kidney disease over six months. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02369549.