Fig. 4.

Heat map for global changes. A standard heat map was generated using a green (smallest response) to red (largest response) color scale to graphically represent each biomarker change (i.e. CK, TNF-α, etc.) as a function of treatment condition (curcumin vs. placebo). The included scale demonstrates the full range of responses. Measurements were made prior to (PRE), 1, 2, 3, and 4 days following EIMD (Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage; 60 reps at 110% of the 1RM, eccentric only). This figure demonstrates that curcumin treatment was associated with a muted response for serum cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α) and creatine kinase (CK). Further interpretation reveals that while not significant at this sample size, the muscle soreness response for curcumin treatment matches with the inflammation biomarkers, particularly at 1 and 2 days. Globally this figure illustrates the close relationship between the biomarkers used in this study to evaluate recovery following EIMD.