title: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations.
abstract: The impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations has not been conclusively studied. Therefore the aim of the meta-analysis was to assess the effect of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations.
  
  
  
  We searched PubMed and Scopus (up to July 03, 2015) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigate the effect Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were performed using random-effects models.
  
  
  
  Random-effect meta-analysis of data from 7 RCTs showed a significant effect of supplementation with spirulina in reducing plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (WMD: -46.76 mg/dL, 95% CI: -67.31 to -26.22, p < 0.001), LDL-C (WMD: -41.32 mg/dL, 95% CI: -60.62 to -22.03, p < 0.001) and triglycerides (WMD: -44.23 mg/dL, 95% CI: -50.22 to -38.24, p < 0.001), and elevating those of HDL-C (WMD: 6.06 mg/dL, 95% CI: 2.37-9.76, p = 0.001). The impact of spirulina on plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (slope: -1.32; 95% CI: -8.58 to 5.93; p = 0.720), LDL-C (slope: -1.01; 95% CI: -8.03 to 6.02; p = 0.778), triglycerides (slope: -1.39; 95% CI: -4.26 to 1.48; p = 0.342) and HDL-C (slope: 1.79, 95% CI: -0.48 to 4.05; p = 0.122) was independent of administered dose. Regarding duration of supplementation with Spirulina, significant associations were found with changes in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (slope: -1.77; 95% CI: -3.48 to -0.07; p = 0.042), LDL-C (slope: -1.73; 95% CI: -3.40 to -0.06; p = 0.042) HDL-C (slope: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.68-1.14; p < 0.001) and triglycerides (slope: -1.39; 95% CI: -2.28 to -0.50; p = 0.002).
  
  
  
  This meta-analysis showed a significant effect of supplementation with Spirulina in reducing plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides and elevating those of HDL-C.
authors.affiliation: Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Pathophysiology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Maria-Corina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Serban
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Metabolic Research Centre, Royal Perth Hospital, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
authors.forename: Amirhossein
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sahebkar
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dragan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Gheorghe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stoichescu-Hogea
authors.affiliation: Department of Functional Sciences, Discipline of Public Health, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Sorin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ursoniu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, Discipline of Pharmaceutical Chemistry "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timisoara, Romania.
authors.forename: Florina
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Andrica
authors.affiliation: Department of Hypertension, Chair of Nephrology and Hypertension, WAM University Hospital in Lodz, Medical University of Lodz, Zeromskiego 113, 90-549 Lodz, Poland. Electronic address: maciejbanach@aol.co.uk.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banach
mesh_terms: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D053545:Spirulina; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides
keywords: HDL-cholesterol; LDL-cholesterol; Lipid; Meta-analysis; Spirulina platensis; Systematic review