The Effect of Exercise Training Combined with Nanocurcumin Supplementation on Metabolic and Liver Function Markers in Post- Bariatric Surgery Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Objective: Obesity is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with metabolic disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study aimed to investigate the additive effects of nanocurcumin supplementation combined with exercise training on metabolic and liver function markers in patients after bariatric surgery.

Materials and Methods: In this randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 60 patients (35-45 years) with a history of bariatric surgery were assigned to two groups: exercise + nanocurcumin or exercise + placebo (n= 30 each). Both groups performed combined aerobic-resistance training (3 sessions/week) for 6 weeks. The intervention group received 40 mg nanocurcumin twice daily. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using MANCOVA (P≤ 0.05).

Results: A significant multivariate effect of group was observed (Wilks’ Lambda, P< 0.001). Compared with placebo, the intervention group showed significant reductions in LDL, triglycerides (P= 0.001), body fat percentage (P= 0.004), ALT (P= .017), AST (P= .004), and ferritin (P= 0.002) along with increases in HDL (P= 0.023) and albumin (P= 0.017).

Conclusion: Nanocurcumin supplementation combined with exercise training may improve lipid profile, liver enzyme levels, and inflammation-related markers in patients after bariatric surgery. However, due to identical exercise protocols in both groups, the findings reflect the additive effect of nanocurcumin rather than its independent effect.