title: Effects of Spirulina platensis supplementation on lipid profile in HIV-infected antiretroviral naïve patients in Yaounde-Cameroon: a randomized trial study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiovascular 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 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).
  
  
  RESULTS
  An 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nutritional 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.
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Agro-Industrial Sciences, University of Ngaoundere, POBOX 455, Ngaoundere, Cameroun. m_matipde@yahoo.de.
authors.forename: Marthe-Elise
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ngo-Matip
authors.forename: Constant Anatole
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pieme
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azabji-Kenfack
authors.forename: Prosper Cabral Nya
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Biapa
authors.forename: Nkenfack
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Germaine
authors.forename: Englert
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heike
authors.forename: Bruno Moukette
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Moukette
authors.forename: Korosky
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Emmanuel
authors.forename: Stefanini
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Philippe
authors.forename: Carl Moses
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mbofung
authors.forename: Jeanne Yonkeu
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Ngogang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002163:Cameroon; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D053545:Spirulina; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides