AzTrials
AzTrials

HIV InfectionsPhase 1/2HIVNCT01195077

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

A Phase 1/2 study testing seaweed, spirulina, seaweed + spirulina in people with HIV Infections, run by University of South Carolina at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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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. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 years and older
Conditions the study is for
HIV Infections
What is being tested?
seaweed, spirulina, seaweed + spirulina
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
12 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Feb 2003to Jun 2008
Phase
Phase 1/2
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 years and older
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Clinical diagnosis of HIV
  • Able to swallow pills

Who cannot join

  • Allergy to iodine/seafood
  • Thyroid disease
  • Not taking antiretroviral therapy

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site

  • Cancer Prevention and Control Program/University of South Carolina

    Columbia, South Carolina, 29208

Other trials in United States

About this study

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.

Read the detailed 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.

Conditions
HIV Infections
Being tested
seaweed, spirulina, seaweed + spirulina
Keywords
HIV, Dietary intervention, Algae, HIV progression, Algae specific kind
Medical subject headings
HIV Infections

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • seaweed, spirulina, seaweed + spirulinaOther

    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.

Study groups in NCT01195077
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Seaweed, Spirulina, Seaweed + SpirulinaExperimentalRandomized to: 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.
Receives: Other: seaweed, spirulina, seaweed + spirulina

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. 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.

    Measured: Once a week for first 3 weeks, then once a month

Secondary outcomes (1)

  1. 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.

    Measured: Participants were randomized to one of 3 treatments.

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted3 Sep 2010 (estimated)
  2. Study startFeb 2003
  3. Primary completionJun 2008
  4. Study completionJun 2008

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1/2
Primary purpose
Prevention
Allocation
Not applicable
Intervention model
Single group
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
12 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT01195077
Sponsor's protocol ID
Dietary Algae and HIV
Acronym
HIV
Status last verified
May 2021
First submitted
2 Sep 2010
Last updated
11 May 2021
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Trinchero J, Ponce NM, Cordoba OL, Flores ML, Pampuro S, Stortz CA, Salomon 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.

    PubMed 19107862

  • Damonte EB, Matulewicz MC, Cerezo AS. Sulfated seaweed polysaccharides as antiviral agents. Curr Med Chem. 2004 Sep;11(18):2399-419. doi: 10.2174/0929867043364504.

    PubMed 15379705

  • Pereira HS, Leao-Ferreira LR, Moussatche 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). Antiviral Res. 2004 Oct;64(1):69-76. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2004.06.006.

    PubMed 15451181

  • 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 Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Bio-Oncologia, Italy. A comparative study of the anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antiangiogenic, and antiadhesive activities of nine different fucoidans from brown seaweeds. Glycobiology. 2007 May;17(5):541-52. doi: 10.1093/glycob/cwm014. Epub 2007 Feb 12.

    PubMed 17296677

  • Rechter S, Konig T, Auerochs S, Thulke S, Walter H, Dornenburg H, Walter C, Marschall M. Antiviral activity of Arthrospira-derived spirulan-like substances. Antiviral Res. 2006 Dec;72(3):197-206. doi: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2006.06.004. Epub 2006 Jun 30.

    PubMed 16884788

  • 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.

    PubMed 19088294

  • 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.

    PubMed 19067465

  • 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.

    PubMed 18693022

  • Queiroz KC, Medeiros VP, Queiroz LS, Abreu LR, Rocha HA, Ferreira CV, Juca 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.2008.03.006. Epub 2008 Apr 4.

    PubMed 18455359

  • 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.

    PubMed 19053854

  • 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.

    PubMed 18197976

  • 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 Ther. 2006 May 25;3:15. doi: 10.1186/1742-6405-3-15.

    PubMed 16725040

  • 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. doi: 10.1002/ptr.1939.

    PubMed 16775811

  • 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. doi: 10.1248/bpb.27.544.

    PubMed 15056863

  • 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. doi: 10.1159/000088889. Epub 2005 Oct 11.

    PubMed 16219988

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1/2 study testing seaweed, spirulina, seaweed + spirulina in people with HIV Infections, run by University of South Carolina at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 3 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 11 May 2021. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this combined phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Dietary algae influence on CD4 helper cells and HIV viral load (time frame: Once a week for first 3 weeks, then once a month). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01195077, which also lists 17 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 11 May 2021.

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