Could Dietary Algae Affect Immunity and Viral Counts in People With HIV?

HIV Infections Clinical Trial

— HIV  

Official title:

Could Dietary Algae Affect Immunity and Viral Counts in People With HIV?

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01195077
• Other study ID #: Dietary Algae and HIV
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1/Phase 2
• Start date: February 2003
• Est. completion date: June 2008

Study information

• Verified date: May 2021
• Source: University of South Carolina
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Drawing inferences from epidemiologic studies of HIV/AIDS as well well as cell culture and animal studies of HIV inhibition by algae, we propose algal consumption as one unifying characteristic of countries with anomalously low rates. HIV/AIDS incidence and prevalence in Eastern Asia (<1/10,000 adults in Japan and Korea), compared to Africa (≈1/10 adults) strongly suggest that differences in IV drug use and sexual behavior are insufficient to explain the 1000-fold variation. Even in Africa, AIDS/HIV rates vary. Spirulina is part of the daily diet for many people living in Chad, where prevalence of HIV has remained at less than 4% for more than 20 years. Average daily algae consumption in Asia and Africa ranges between 1 to 2 tablespoons (3 - 13 grams).

HIV viral load is the main indicator of infection, however CD4 helper cell counts are most predictive of morbidity and mortality.We hypothesized that the consumption of algae could be important in diminishing the risk of HIV infection, and subsequent progression, possibly by enhancing the immune response.

Description:

Twelve HIV+ patients not on antiretroviral therapy were clinically evaluated and enrolled in the three-week study. Subjects received 10 algae capsules/d. Laboratory tests of CD4 counts and HIV RNA were performed at baseline, week 1, week 2, and week 3, and then once a month. Six subjects continued for between 4 and 14 months. In addition to CD4 lymphocyte counts and viral loads, subjects were evaluated monthly for Complete Blood Counts (CBC), Liver profile, Basic Metabolic Panel, and some subjects were evaluated for thyroid function and cholesterol. All subjects completed standard HIV Quality of Life questionnaires at each clinic visit.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 12
• Est. completion date: June 2008
• Est. primary completion date: June 2008
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of HIV

• Able to swallow pills

Exclusion Criteria:

• Allergy to iodine/seafood

• Thyroid disease

• Not taking antiretroviral therapy

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• HIV Infections

Intervention

Other:
• seaweed, spirulina, seaweed + spirulina
Arm 1: Seaweed. Ten capsules of .5 grams per capsule for a total of 10 grams per day. Arm 2: Spirulina: Ten capsules of .5 grams per capsule for a total of 10 grams per day. Arm 3: Seaweed: (2.5 grams) plus Spirulina (2.5 grams). Ten capsules of .5 grams per capsule for a total of 10 grams per day. Spirulina: Ten capsules of .5 grams per capsule for a total of 10 grams per day.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Cancer Prevention and Control Program/University of South Carolina	Columbia	South Carolina

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of South Carolina

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

References & Publications (17)

Ahn MJ, Yoon KD, Kim CY, Kim JH, Shin CG, Kim J. Inhibitory activity on HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and integrase of a carmalol derivative from a brown Alga, Ishige okamurae. Phytother Res. 2006 Aug;20(8):711-3. — View Citation

Ahn MJ, Yoon KD, Min SY, Lee JS, Kim JH, Kim TG, Kim SH, Kim NG, Huh H, Kim J. Inhibition of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and protease by phlorotannins from the brown alga Ecklonia cava. Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 Apr;27(4):544-7. — View Citation

Artan M, Li Y, Karadeniz F, Lee SH, Kim MM, Kim SK. Anti-HIV-1 activity of phloroglucinol derivative, 6,6'-bieckol, from Ecklonia cava. Bioorg Med Chem. 2008 Sep 1;16(17):7921-6. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.07.078. Epub 2008 Jul 29. — View Citation

Buffa V, Stieh D, Mamhood N, Hu Q, Fletcher P, Shattock RJ. Cyanovirin-N potently inhibits human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in cellular and cervical explant models. J Gen Virol. 2009 Jan;90(Pt 1):234-43. doi: 10.1099/vir.0.004358-0. — View Citation

Cumashi A, Ushakova NA, Preobrazhenskaya ME, D'Incecco A, Piccoli A, Totani L, Tinari N, Morozevich GE, Berman AE, Bilan MI, Usov AI, Ustyuzhanina NE, Grachev AA, Sanderson CJ, Kelly M, Rabinovich GA, Iacobelli S, Nifantiev NE; Consorzio Interuniversitari — View Citation

Damonte EB, Matulewicz MC, Cerezo AS. Sulfated seaweed polysaccharides as antiviral agents. Curr Med Chem. 2004 Sep;11(18):2399-419. Review. — View Citation

Gideon TP, Rengasamy R. Toxicological evaluation of fucoidan from Cladosiphon okamuranus. J Med Food. 2008 Dec;11(4):638-42. doi: 10.1089/jmf.2007.0127. — View Citation

Paskaleva EE, Lin X, Duus K, McSharry JJ, Veille JC, Thornber C, Liu Y, Lee DY, Canki M. Sargassum fusiforme fraction is a potent and specific inhibitor of HIV-1 fusion and reverse transcriptase. Virol J. 2008 Jan 15;5:8. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-5-8. — View Citation

Paskaleva EE, Lin X, Li W, Cotter R, Klein MT, Roberge E, Yu EK, Clark B, Veille JC, Liu Y, Lee DY, Canki M. Inhibition of highly productive HIV-1 infection in T cells, primary human macrophages, microglia, and astrocytes by Sargassum fusiforme. AIDS Res — View Citation

Pereira HS, Leão-Ferreira LR, Moussatché N, Teixeira VL, Cavalcanti DN, Costa LJ, Diaz R, Frugulhetti IC. Antiviral activity of diterpenes isolated from the Brazilian marine alga Dictyota menstrualis against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). An — View Citation

Queiroz KC, Medeiros VP, Queiroz LS, Abreu LR, Rocha HA, Ferreira CV, Jucá MB, Aoyama H, Leite EL. Inhibition of reverse transcriptase activity of HIV by polysaccharides of brown algae. Biomed Pharmacother. 2008 Jun;62(5):303-7. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2008 — View Citation

Rechter S, König T, Auerochs S, Thulke S, Walter H, Dörnenburg H, Walter C, Marschall M. Antiviral activity of Arthrospira-derived spirulan-like substances. Antiviral Res. 2006 Dec;72(3):197-206. Epub 2006 Jun 30. — View Citation

Simpore J, Kabore F, Zongo F, Dansou D, Bere A, Pignatelli S, Biondi DM, Ruberto G, Musumeci S. Nutrition rehabilitation of undernourished children utilizing Spiruline and Misola. Nutr J. 2006 Jan 23;5:3. — View Citation

Simpore J, Zongo F, Kabore F, Dansou D, Bere A, Nikiema JB, Pignatelli S, Biondi DM, Ruberto G, Musumeci S. Nutrition rehabilitation of HIV-infected and HIV-negative undernourished children utilizing spirulina. Ann Nutr Metab. 2005 Nov-Dec;49(6):373-80. E — View Citation

Trinchero J, Ponce NM, Córdoba OL, Flores ML, Pampuro S, Stortz CA, Salomón H, Turk G. Antiretroviral activity of fucoidans extracted from the brown seaweed Adenocystis utricularis. Phytother Res. 2009 May;23(5):707-12. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2723. — View Citation

Wang H, Ooi EV, Ang PO Jr. Antiviral activities of extracts from Hong Kong seaweeds. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2008 Dec;9(12):969-76. doi: 10.1631/jzus.B0820154. — View Citation

Yamani E, Kaba-Mebri J, Mouala C, Gresenguet G, Rey JL. [Use of spirulina supplement for nutritional management of HIV-infected patients: study in Bangui, Central African Republic]. Med Trop (Mars). 2009 Feb;69(1):66-70. French. — View Citation

* Note: There are 17 references in all — Click here to view all references

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Dietary algae influence on CD4 helper cells and HIV viral load	The first 6 subjects participated for 3 weeks. After analysis of the results, it was determined that there were no side effects and some indication of benefit. The next 6 subjects participated for up to 14 months.	Once a week for first 3 weeks, then once a month
Secondary	Would seaweed (Undaria) or spirulina or a combination of the two algae have more benefit?	The combination of the 2 algae appeared to have more benefit. However, the sample size was too small to make conclusions.	Participants were randomized to one of 3 treatments.