Turmeric effect on subcutaneous insulin-induced amyloid mass: an in vivo study

Protein-derived amyloid structures are associated with a wide variety of pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases and local amyloidoses. Reports exist on the ability of insulin to form local amyloidoses under specific conditions. In vitro-generated fibrils of insulin have been previously shown to produce amyloid-containing masses upon repetitive subcutaneous injection in mouse. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of insulin fibrils injection in rats, as well as the potential of turmeric in attenuating this process. It was found that subcutaneous amyloid-containing masses could form in rats at a faster rate compared with mice. Upon addition of turmeric to the fibrils, previous to injection, formed masses had a significantly reduced size, as well as less ordered cellular structure. In conclusion, the results of this study show the potential of turmeric in attenuation of local amyloidosis. Furthermore, we suggest that this model could be of use in screening antiamyloid compounds.