Effect of Spirulina on Liver Iron Concentration in Beta Thalassemic Children With Hepatitis C

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. Magnetic resonance imaging represents the most available noninvasive technique to assess the level of iron in the liver.there is evidence that suggests Spirulina may help to protect against liver damage, cirrhosis and liver failure in those with chronic liver disease.

Completed

Looking for future studies?

Notify Me

Key information

Conditions

Beta Thalassemia Major Anemia Anemia, Hemolytic Anemia, Hemolytic, Congenital Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Genetic Diseases, Inborn Hematologic Diseases Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases Hemoglobinopathies Thalassemia beta-Thalassemia

Age range

6 year–18 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Faculty of Medicine- Tanta University

Tanta, Gharbia Governorate, 0000, Egypt

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

multitransfused beta thalassemic children with 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 contraindications to perform MRI (intraocular metallic foreign body, cardiac pacemaker, intracranial clips of arterial brain aneurysms) refusal to participate in the study

Treatment and study plan

Spirulina

Dietary Supplement

Spirulina in a dose of 250 mg/kg/day will be given orally for 3 months.

Primary outcomes

liver iron concentration using magnetic resonance imaging (T2* gradient echo pulse sequence in the axial plane)

Time frame: 3 months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Tanta University

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start: 2015
Primary completion: 2017
Study completion: 2017
First posted: Apr 20, 2016
Registry last updated: Sep 11, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.

Completed