Spirulina platensis enhances immune status, inflammatory and oxidative markers of HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy in Cameroon

Abstract Background Spirulina platensis is traditionally used as a food supplement with a potential strengthening of the immune system, inhibition of the replication of some viruses, and lipid-lowering effect. The aim of this study was to determine its effect on the inflammatory, immunological, and oxidative status of HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods We performed a study on 62 HIV patients on ART (Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Efavirenz) divided into 2 groups. Group I, supplemented with 10 grams of Spirulina platensis daily, and group II only ART. Participants were paired on ART duration and followed-up for 6 months from December 2015 to June 2016 at the HIV care unit of the Yaounde Central Hospital and the Cité-Verte Hospital, Yaounde. Each group was sampled for CD4-count, viral load, serum levels of interleukins 6 and 8, TNFα and oxidative markers (malondialdehyde, FRAP, catalase, total peroxides, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione) at the beginning (T0) and the end of the trial (T1). Ethical clearance was obtained from the Cameroon National Ethics Committee for Human Health and Research (Ref 2016/01/699/CE/CNERSH/SP). Statistical analysis was performed using the software SPSS 21.0. The threshold of significance was set at 0.05. Results Mean ages of participants were 35 ± 8 and 37 ± 7 respectively for group I and II. We observed a significant decrease in viral load in patients receiving spirulina comparing at T0 and T1 (p = 0.001), not observed for participants in group II (p>0.05). CD4-counts were unchanged. There was a significant reduction of TNFα levels in group 1. The levels of pro-oxidative markers were significantly reduced in group 1 while increased in the other group. Antioxidant levels significantly increased in both groups. Conclusion Daily supplementation of Spirulina platensis could improve the immune status of HIV patients on ART, and decrease inflammatory and pro-oxidant levels.