BackgroundMicronutrient deficiencies occur early in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections they have reverse effects on the nutritional status. The diet supplementation with a natural nutraceutical rich in proteins and micronutrient like Spirulina platensis, may be effective and efficient in delaying HIV disease progression by frequently reported improvement in immune response.MethodsA prospective single-blind, randomized, multicenter study conducted on 320 HIV-1 ARV-naïve participants for 12 months. Participants received either S. platensis supplementation and standard care or standard care and local balanced diet without S. platenis. Selected hematological and biochemical as well as CD4 count cells, viral load copies were assessed at three separate times.ResultsAmong the 169 ART-naïve participants enrolled in the study, the female was mostly represented (67.1 %). The significant increase of CD4 count cells (596.32–614.92 cells count) and significant decrease of viral load levels (74.7 × 103–30.87 × 103 copies/mL) of the patients who received a supplementation of S. platensis was found after 6 months of treatment. Haemoglobin level was also significantly higher in the same group while the fasting blood glucose concentration decreased after 12 months compared to control.ConclusionA daily supplementation with S. platensis to diet combined with a reasonable balanced diet has significantly increased the CD4 cells and reduced the viral load after 6 months. Further studies are recommended among a large specific group of people infected by the HIV in order to investigate the mechanisms involved on the effect of S. platensis on immune system.

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases (CVD) and metabolic alterations are among the majors public health concern that have been reported in people living with HIV infections. Factors contributing to cardio metabolic syndrome in HIV include body fat distribution, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, cardiovascular dysfunction and inflammation. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of Spirulina platensis (Cyanobacteriaceae) supplementation versus local diet on lipid profile in HIV-infected antiretroviral-naive patients.MethodsA prospective single-blind, randomized, multicentre study was conducted from February 2010 to December 2012. A total of 320 HIV antiretroviral-naïve patients were screened and 169 were recruited in this study. Patients were randomized and received either Spirulina supplementation combined with local diet (n = 82) or local diet only (n = 87). Age, weight, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, CD4 count, and local food intake variables were assessed on three separate occasions (three, six and twelve months).ResultsAn average age of the patients was 35.6 ± 9 years. The majority of participants were female 67.1%. Regarding the lipid profile, there is a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol and a significant decrease in total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in the group of patients who consumed Spirulina platensis. A change in the atherogenic index defined by the ratio CT/HDL-C substitutable by LDL-C/HDL-C and the TC/HDL decreased significantly from 10.83 at baseline to 2.22 after 12 months (p = 0.21 and p <0.0001) in the patients taking Spirulina.ConclusionsNutritional supplementation with Spirulina combined with a quantitative and qualitative balanced diet for at least six months can retard an exposition to lipid abnormalities in HIV–infected antiretroviral-naive patients. Further studies are recommended on a large group of people not infected with HIV and exposed to cardiovascular risk factors.

Malaria has remained one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in most developing countries. This pathology is caused by the Plasmodium spp. Current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria recommends the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT). Arthrospira platensis is a microscopic filamentous alga that is rich in proteins, vitamins, essential amino acids, minerals and essential fatty acids like -linolenic acid (GLA). The current study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Arthrospira platensis on the liver and kidney toxicity induced by ACT. Malaria patients were randomized into two groups to receive therapeutic dose of either artemether-lumefantrine 20/120 mg (group 1) or artemether-lumefantrine 20/120 mg + Arthrospira platensis 8 g daily (group 2) as an adjunct therapy and follow-up for 7 days (D). After treatment, the activity levels/concentrations of liver and kidney biochemical markers (ALT, AST, ALB, UREA, CREAT) were analyzed. Both pre- and post-treatment samples were analyzed, and the results gotten compared with control group made up of malaria negative patients. Serum activity of selected biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALB, UREA) of malaria patients were statistically significant (P<0.05) on D0 when compared to that of malaria negative patients. The serum activity of CREAT though not statistically significant (P>0.05), increased compared to malaria negative patients. The serum level of ALT, AST, UREA and CREAT increased from D0 to D3 and decreased on D7 after treatment while ALB decreased from D0 to D3 and increased on D7 in both groups when compared with the negative control group. The concentration of these biochemical markers varied across the groups from D0 to D7. The results obtained from this study indicate that Arthrospira platensis has a positive effect on the liver and kidney toxicity induced by ACT and hence could be administered together with ACT in malaria treatment.