" Arthrospira Platensis" as Nutrition Supplementation for Female Adult Patients Infected by HIV in Yaoundé Cameroon
Condition: HIV
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      Early interests in Arthrospira p. (Spirulina) were based on its high source of protein.
      Recently, it has drawn attention for its therapeutic effects including anticancer properties,
      antiviral and antibacterial properties as well as improvement of the immune system.

      The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a daily supplementation with Spirulina
      for adult wife living with HIV/AIDS in Yaoundé.
    

Detailed description: 
      Several studies suggest that the micronutrient status determines the progression of the HIV
      infection to AIDS. This phenomenon may be explained by a vicious cycle of malnutrition and
      infection. Here, the immune system needs energy and micronutrients to adequately respond to
      infection. Early interests in Arthrospira p. (Spirulina) were based on its high source of
      protein. Recently, it has drawn attention for its therapeutic effects including reduction of
      blood cholesterol, nephrotoxicity, anticancer properties, radiation protection, antiviral and
      antibacterial properties as well here improvement of the immune system.

      The aim of the three months Randomized, double blind and placebo Controlled Trial (RCT) is to
      investigate the effect of a daily supplementation with Spirulina for adult wife living with
      HIV/AIDS in Yaoundé. The trial will be experimental, prospective, and longitudinal on 70
      patients. The study consists of two periods of three months.

      The primary objective is to evaluate the efficacy of Spirulina on CD4+ T-lymphocyte count and
      the viral load during the RCT. The second objective is to confirm the effect of Spirulina on
      nutritional status markers: albumin, iron anemia, bioimpendenz, and BMI. The documentation of
      the nutritional marker will depict the restorative potential of Spirulina on patients with
      advanced HIV infection. Further data collected within a 24-hour recall will inform about the
      Individual Dietary Diversity Score. Explorative objective is the following of three disease
      outcomes of an HIV infection at four different time points, at t=0, 3, 6 months, and 1 month
      after the trial. The three explorative outcomes are the immune status with CD3+, CD8+, CD38+
      and IFN gamma, the oxidative status, and the patient's quality of life.

      This trial will end by August 2010.
    

Intervention name(s): Arthrospira platensis
Intervention type(s): Dietary Supplement
Intervention description(s): Patient take 5 gram supplement per day for 12 weeks in the first phase. In the second phase the two groups receive 5 gram per day of Arthrospira platensis for 12 weeks.
One group will so haved received Arthrospira platensis for 24 weeks.
Other intervention name(s): Group with supp.A; Group with supp.B,; for the first phase; in the second all patients receive supp.C
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
Primary purpose: Supportive Care
Keywords: Arthrospira platensis; female HIV patient; Yaounde; Redox potential; Life quality; female patient infected by HIV in Yaounde: Cameroon