Page 62 - Livre électronique des RFTP 2024

P11. EFFECTS OF SPIRULINA ENRICHED WITH ZINC

SUPPLEMENTATION ON RESPIRATORY FUNCTION AND
LIFE QUALITY OF PATIENTS WITH COPD: A TUNISIAN

RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

BALSAM BARKOUS1,2, INES GHANNOUCHI1,2, AMANI SAYHI1,2, NADIA BELLAZREG1,2,
KHAWLA MAHMOUDI1, IMEN TALBI1, SABA BOUBAKRI1, WIÈME BEN HMID1, CHAIMA
BRIKI1, NARJES BEN ABBES1, FATMA GUEZGUEZ1,2, SONIA ROUATBI1,2

1DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL EXPLORATIONS, FARHAT HACHED
HOSPITAL, SOUSSE, TUNISIA. 2RESEARCH LABORATORY OF HEART FAILURE (LR12SP09),
FARHAT HACHED HOSPITAL, SOUSSE, TUNISIA.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) remains a
significant global health challenge, necessitating innovative therapeutic
approaches. Spirulina, a nutrient-rich blue-green microalgae, is noted for its
potential benefits in respiratory health. Similarly, zinc, an essential micronutrient,
shows promise in combating inflammation and oxidative stress, key factors in
COPD pathology.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of a two-month of spirulina enriched with zinc
supplementation on spirometric data and Life Quality (LQ) among COPD patients.

Patients and methods: A clinical controlled randomized trial was conducted in the
department of physiology and functional explorations of the university hospital
Farhat Hached of Sousse during January 2023 to February 2024. It included patients
with COPD who consulted our department for pulmonary function assessment.
Spirometry was performed and interpreted according to the ATS/ERS
recommendations with measurement of Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second
(FEV1) and Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). LQ was assessed using the COPD
Assessment Test (CAT). Participants were divided randomly into cases (who
received spirulina supplemented with zinc for 2 months at a dosage of 500 mg *2
per day) and controls (who only had pulmonary function assessment after two
months).

RESULTS: A total of 28 male patients were included (15 cases vs. 13 controls). Mean
age was 56.55±8.07 years and mean BMI was 24.3±3.4 kg/m2. At the enrolment day,
mean values of FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC ratio and CAT-score for all the sample were
53±19% predicted, 82±16% predicted, 0.51±0.12 and 15±8, respectively. Both cases
and controls were matched in anthropometric data (age and BMI) as well as
spirometric data and CAT-score at the enrolment day. After 2 months of spirulina
supplementation, while cases experienced an increase in FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC
ratio and CAT-score, controls exhibited a decrease in the same variables; (ΔFEV1=
+145.0 [+50.0; +272.5] ml vs. -60.0 [-135.0; -17.5] ml, p=0.002), (ΔFVC= +280.0 [-17.5;
+460.0] ml vs. -65.0 [-190.0; +7.5] ml, p=0.002), (ΔFEV1/ FVC= +0.10 [-0.18; +0.37] vs. -
0.23 [-0.47; +0.03], p=0.03) and (ΔCAT-score= -5 [-9; -2] vs. +2 [-2; +3], p=0.007).

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