Effect of Spirulina on Serum Hyaluronic Acid in Beta Thalassemic Children With Hepatitis C

Tanta University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Beta Thalassemia Major

Treatments: Dietary Supplement: Spirulina

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02744547

2900/11/14

Details and patient eligibility

About

Thalassemics can develop liver fibrosis because of iron overload and hepatitis C infection. The latter is the main risk factor for liver fibrosis in transfusion dependent thalassemics. Excess liver iron is clearly recognized as a co factor for the development of advanced fibrosis in patients with hepatitis virus C infection. Hyaluronic acid serum levels correlate with histological stages of liver fibrosis in hepatitis C patients, so it has a good diagnostic accuracy as a non invasive assessment of fibrosis and cirrhosis.there is evidence that suggests Spirulina may help to protect against liver damage, cirrhosis and liver failure in those with chronic liver disease.

Enrollment: 60 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 6 to 18 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• multitransfused beta thalassemic children with and without super added hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection diagnosed by serological detection of HCV antibodies and HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction.

Exclusion criteria

• liver decompensation child younger than 3 years patients with hepatitis B infection

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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60 participants in 2 patient groups

thalassemic children with hepatitis C

Experimental group

Description:

30 multitransfused beta thalassemic children infected with hepatitis C virus diagnosed by serological detection of HCV-antibodies and HCV RNA by polymerase chain reaction will be given Spirulina in a dose of 250 mg/kg/day orally for 3 months.

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Spirulina

thalassemic children without hepatitis C

No Intervention group

Description:

30 multitransfused beta thalassemic children without hepatitis C virus infection