The Effect of Arthrospira platensis Capsules on CD4 T-Cells and Antioxidative Capacity in a Randomized Pilot Study of Adult Women Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Not under HAART in Yaoundé, Cameroon

Abstract

Dietary supplements are often used to improve the nutritional status of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). Arthrospira platensis (Asp), also known as Spirulina, is a cyanobacterium rich in proteins and micronutrients. Cell and animal trials described immune-modulating, antiretroviral and antioxidant activities. This pilot study describes the effects of the supplementation of 5 g/day of Asp on a pre-highly-active antiretroviral therapy (pre-HAART), HIV-infected, adult female population. It was conducted as a three-month randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compared a cup supplementation of five grams/day of Asp with a placebo of equal protein content and energy. The study included 73 HIV-infected women. The immediate outcome variables were CD4 T-cells, viral load and immune activation by CD8 T-cells expressing CD38. The antioxidant status was assessed by way of the total antioxidant capacity of the serum (TAOS). The renal function was documented by way of creatinine, urea and the calculated glomerular filtration rate. Statistical analyses were carried out with non-parametric tests, and the effect size of each interaction was calculated. No differences in the immunological and virological markers between the Asp and the placebo group could be observed. In the placebo group, 21 of 30 patients (70%) developed concomitant events, while in the Asp group, only 12 of 28 patients (43%) did. Both groups registered a significant weight increase; 0.5 kg (p < 0.05) in the Asp group and 0.65 kg (p < 0.05) in the placebo group. The antioxidant capacity increase of 56 (1–98) µM for Asp was significantly different from the decrease observed in the placebo group (p < 0.001). A slight increase in the creatinine level of 0.1 g/dL (p < 0.001) was observed in the Asp group, and no effect was observed in the urea levels. The improvement of the antioxidant capacity under Asp, shown for the first time on PLHIV, could become a focus for future research on the nutritional and health effects of Spirulina. The observed slight, but significant increase of serum creatinine needs further evaluation, especially with varying doses of Asp.

Spirulina Maxima Decreases Endothelial Damage and Oxidative Stress Indicators in Patients with Systemic Arterial Hypertension: Results from Exploratory Controlled Clinical Trial

“…The findings in the present study are consistent with those in previously established reports of an increase in antioxidant capacity when Spirulina is administered [25,57]. Likewise, the concentrations of the GSSG at the end of the treatment period in the group SM, suggests an increase in the activity of glutathione peroxidase; this contribution of GSH in patients treated with SM could also explain the decrease in the activity of glutathione reductase, a fact that is described in the context of glutathione metabolism [58].…”

“…SM has shown to have antioxidant properties in both in vivo and in vitro studies [44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55]. In addition, it has also shown to have an antioxidant effect in several clinical studies: for example, in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection, the administration of SM increases the antioxidant capacity in plasma [25]; in older adults it increases the antioxidant capacity [56]; increases the ergogenic and antioxidant capacity in athletic subjects [57]. However, there are no publications that indicate the effect of SM on the antioxidant status of patients with systemic arterial hypertension.…”

“…Spirulina maxima (SM) has been recognized as GRAS food by FDA and it has been shown to have several biological effects, which have been demonstrated in some clinical investigations. Thus, there are clinical studies carried out in HIV-1 seropositive subjects [24,25], with alterations in lipid metabolism [26], chronic hepatitis C virus infection [27], allergic rhinitis [28], heavy metal poisoning [29], and hypertension; but the effect of the administration of Spirulina maxima on sVCAM-1, sICAM-1, sE-selectin and endothelin-1 or on the indicators of oxidative stress in hypertensive patients under pharmacological control has not been evaluated. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of Spirulina maxima on blood pressure, antioxidant status, and endothelial damage indicators in patients with mild systemic arterial hypertension under ACE inhibitors treatment.…”

Neuroprotective effect ofArthrospira(Spirulina)platensisagainst kainic acid-neuronal death

“…Its ability to enhance the internal antioxidant defense system (Miranda et al 1998;BermejoBescós et al 2008) has also been demonstrated. Although there is not a clinical report that shows a clear effect of SP as a neuroprotective agent, there are clinical studies that report SP use as immunomodulatory (Pugh et al 2001;Hirahashi et al 2002;Winter et al 2014). Interestingly, SP has been admitted as dietary supplement ingredients in the United States Pharmacopeia (Marles et al 2011).…”

Docking and in silico toxicity assessment of Arthrospira compounds as potential antiviral agents against SARS-CoV-2

“…In this context, Winter et al (2014) conducted an in vivo study on 73 HIV-infected women to evaluate Arthrospira supplementation effect. The study was a three-month pilot, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled intervention.…”