Curcumin ameliorates high-altitude-induced skeletal muscle loss by modulating serum metabolome and gut microbiota: Insights from a human cohort and animal model

Curcumin shows potential in alleviating high-altitude hypoxia injury, yet its human metabolism and effects on skeletal muscle are unclear. This study explored curcumin's bioactive components in humans at plain and high altitude, alongside its benefits in a rat model. Twenty male subjects took curcumin supplements (812 mg/day). Serum metabolomics identified 14 curcumin-derived metabolites after high-altitude exposure. In rats under simulated 5000 m altitude, curcumin reduced skeletal muscle damage and modulated gut microbiota. Integrated results indicate that curcumin mitigates skeletal muscle damage induced by high-altitude hypoxia through its bioactive metabolites, with this protective effect potentially linked to gut microbiota regulation. These findings highlight serum metabolites as crucial to curcumin's protective role, supporting its use as a dietary supplement for high-altitude challenges.