A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF SPIRULINA SUPPLEMENTATION ON PLASMA LIPID CONCENTRATIONS

summary Background & aims: The impact of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations has not been conclusively studied. Therefore the aim of the meta-analysis was to assess the effect of Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations. Methods: We searched PubMed and Scopus (up to July 03, 2015) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigate the effect Spirulina supplementation on plasma lipid concentrations. Metaanalysis and meta-regression were performed using random-effects models. Results: Random-effect meta-analysis of data from 7 RCTs showed a significant effect of supplementation with spirulina in reducing plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (WMD: 46.76 mg/dL, 95% CI: 67.31 to 26.22, p < 0.001), LDL-C (WMD: 41.32 mg/dL, 95% CI: 60.62 to 22.03, p < 0.001) and triglycerides (WMD: 44.23 mg/dL, 95% CI: 50.22 to 38.24, p < 0.001), and elevating those of HDL-C (WMD: 6.06 mg/dL, 95% CI: 2.37e9.76, p ¼ 0.001). The impact of spirulina on plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (slope: 1.32; 95% CI: 8.58 to 5.93; p ¼ 0.720), LDL-C (slope: 1.01; 95% CI: 8.03 to 6.02; p ¼ 0.778), triglycerides (slope: 1.39; 95% CI: 4.26 to 1.48; p ¼ 0.342) and HDL-C (slope: 1.79, 95% CI: 0.48 to 4.05; p ¼ 0.122) was independent of administered dose. Regarding duration of supplementation with Spirulina, significant associations were found with changes in plasma concentrations of total cholesterol (slope: 1.77; 95% CI: 3.48 to 0.07; p ¼ 0.042), LDL-C (slope: 1.73; 95% CI: 3.40 to 0.06; p ¼ 0.042) HDL-C (slope: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.68 e1.14; p < 0.001) and triglycerides (slope: 1.39; 95% CI: 2.28 to 0.50; p ¼ 0.002). Conclusions: This meta-analysis showed a significant effect of supplementation with Spirulina in reducing plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides and elevating those of HDL-C. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.