Cardioprotective Effects of Spirulina Therapy in Children With Beta-Thalassemia Major

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac failure in children with Thalassemia major (TM) is the major cause of death due to iron overload. Spirulina is a micro alga with proven anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and may have a cardioprotective effect. AIM OF THE WORK: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible beneficial effect of spirulina supplement in TM children. SUBJECT AND METHODS: It is an interventional study carried out in 60 children with TM and 30 healthy children matched for age and sex as control. Both groups received spirulina supplement at a dose of 250 mg/kg/d for 3 months. 2D Echo, Tissue Doppler, and speckle tracking imaging (STI) were done for all the studied cohort before and after the 3-month duration of spirulina supplement. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in hemoglobin level at the end of 3-month period (8.27±1.3 vs. 9.023±1.7; P <0.033) with decrease the frequency of blood transfusion in TM patients (66.6% vs. 40% required transfusion at interval less than 2 wk). Left ventricle global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) significantly improved after 3-month period (-21.7±4.64 vs. -24.67±4.478; P <0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Spirulina supplement has possible beneficial effect in minimizing the frequency of blood transfusion as well as cardioprotective effect against cardiac damage in TM patients.