Conference abstract

The effect of add-on Spirulinaplatensis therapy on the metabolic profile of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Pan African Medical Journal - Conference Proceedings. 2017:2(23).05 Sep 2017.
doi: 10.11604/pamj-cp.2017.2.23.55
Archived on: 05 Sep 2017
Contact the corresponding author
Keywords: Spirulinaplatensis, insulin sensitivity/secretion, lipid profile, type2 diabetes
Oral presentation

Untitled Document

The effect of add-on Spirulinaplatensis therapy on the metabolic profile of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Blandine Messang1,&, Jean Claude Njabou Katte2, Marcel Azabji3, Andreas Njoh4, Claire Tatnkam5, Azumesi Nguni1, Armand Mbanya6, André Michel Bimbai7, Eugene Sobngwi8, Jean Claude Mbanya8

1Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 2Department of Public Health, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon, 3Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon, 4Konye Health District, Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon, 5L’Université des Montagnes, Bangangté, Cameroon, 6Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA, 7Health of population in transition (HoPiT) Research group Yaoundé, Cameroon, 8Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Cameroon

&Corresponding author
Blandine Messang, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon

Abstract

Introduction: Spirulina platensis (naturally occurring blue-green alga) has been declared by the United Nations World Food Congress as "the best food for tomorrow". It has hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, and hypoglycaemic properties. We aimed to evaluate the effect of add-on spirulina therapy on insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, glycaemic control, and the lipid profile.

Methods: we conducted a non-randomized single arm trial at the National Obesity Centre of the Yaoundé Central Hospital. Ten participants were included. We evaluated insulin sensitivity by means of the euglycaemichyperinsulinaemic clamp, insulin secretion by the mixed meal tolerance test, while blood glucose, HbA1cand serum lipid profile were measured using specific assays. These evaluations were done before and after an interventionwitha daily 10g dose of Spirulina powder over an eight-week period.

Results: the study population consisted of 5 males and 5 females. The median age was 54years [IQR 51-63]. The median duration of diabetes was 2.75years [IQR 1.6-12]. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly reduced after Spirulina supplementation; SBP (129.5 vs 128, p = 0.02) mmHg and DBP (81.0 vs 76.0, p = 0.01) mmHg. The percent body fat increased (20.8 vs 23.2, p = 0.03) while the fat free mass decreased (53.0 vs 52.9, p = 0.04). BMI remained unchanged (24.2 vs 24.2, p = 0.61) kg/m2). Triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol decreased significantly (1.16 vs 0.92, p = 0.01) g/L, (1.41 vs 1.14, p= 0.01)g/L, (0.81 vs 0.53, p = 0.01)g/L respectively. Overall beta-cell activity (AUCP/AUCG) increased significantly (0.025 vs 0.062, p=0.013) x10-6. Insulin sensitivity (M/Kg lean mass) decreased non-significantly (13.87 vs 10.77, p = 0.96). Glycated hemoglobin decreased significantly (6.95 vs 6.8, p = 0.02). No adverse symptoms attributable to spirulina.

Conclusion: Spirulina platensis improved the metabolic profile after eight weeks of add-on therapy in this group of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, Spirulina in association with other oral anti-diabetic agents could improve the management of patients with type 2 diabetes and related comorbidities.