Mark Blumenthal Executive Editor
Sibiya T, Ghazi T, Chuturgoon A. The potential of Spirulina platensis to ameliorate the adverse effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Nutrients. July 27, 2022;14(15):3076. doi: 10.3390/nu14153076.
The increased availability of antiretrovirals (ARVs) has significantly changed the pattern of disease progression and mortality in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) assists in regulating viral load and preventing the progression of HIV to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); however, it promotes metabolic syndrome (MetS) through an inflammatory pathway, excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial dysfunction. Previous studies have shown that spirulina (Arthrospira platensis syn. Spirulina platensis, Oscillatoriaceae), a blue-green microalgae, inhibits oxidative stress and promotes mitochondrial health. Spirulina is also environmentally friendly and can be produced on a large scale. As such, spirulina may be useful to control adverse metabolic effects in people living with HIV on HAART with minimal costs. This review aims to highlight the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms of spirulina for use as a potential supplement against HIV and ARV-induced MetS.
Spirulina is one of three commonly investigated spirulina species…