Effects of spirulina supplementation on selected anthropometric, biochemical, and hematological parameters of HIV-infected adults in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Abstract

The objective of the study was to assess the impact of spirulina supplementation on selected anthropometric, biochemical, and hematological parameters of HIV-infected adults in Ouagadougou. This quasi-experimental two-arm pilot study was conducted with adults infected with HIV-1 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. A group of 50 participants received a 10 gram daily spirulina supplementation in addition to antiretroviral treatment (ART) while a 50 participant control group received only ART. At 9 months of follow-up, the mean values of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and hemoglobin were significantly higher and creatinemia was lower in participants assigned to spirulina supplementation compared to those in the control group (p=0.007, 0.002, and 0.01 respectively). At 6 months of follow-up, a significant decrease in gammaglobulins was observed in the intervention group as compared to the control group (p=0.04). There was no difference in the mean serum concentration of alanine transaminase (ALT) or amylasemia between the two groups. The daily 10 gram spirulina supplementation used in our study had a positive effect on several vital biological parameters in HIV-infected adults. Randomized clinical trials on large samples with longer followup periods will be necessary to test these assumptions.