THE EFFECTS OF SILICON ON CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

ICEPS AWARD : CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

ICEPS is an annual conference on Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs). In 2017, Phyco-Biotech won the NPI Innovation Award for their AngioSSpir project. The project demonstrates the benefits of the bioavailable silicon-rich food supplement on the cardiovascular system.

On March 28, 2019, Phyco-Biotech laboratories presented the results of a preclinical study. The study was conducted jointly with the University of Montpellier, INSERM (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research) and the CNRS (French National Scientific Research Centre). This conference introduces the 2019 clinical trial project: Spirulicium Cardio.

SUMMARY OF ICEPS 2019 CONFERENCES

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Vascular ageing is manifested by an alteration in the elasticity of arterial walls. Organic silicon is an essential element for the constitution and stability of elastin fibres. However, nutritional intake is generally insufficient and the bioavailability is limited. Spirulina is a microalga capable of incorporating minerals and which has nutritional properties. It is recognized for its richness in proteins, vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and essential fatty acids.

The effects of a silicon-enriched spirulina (SES) dietary supplement on morphological and functional alterations in the arterial system were evaluated in an accelerated cardiovascular ageing model, the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). The analyses (blood pressure, ex vivo vascular function, histology of the aorta) were carried out in animals with or without hypertension (SHR), supplemented or not with SES for 3 months.

Among the SHRs that received the supplement we noted:

• An improvement in arterial muscle function resulting in an increase in aortic contraction and relaxation.
• A decrease in arterial wall hypertrophy related to the prevention of extracellular matrix degradation.
• An increase in elastin levels.
• A reduction in fibre fragmentation.

These changes have an impact on blood pressure which was significantly reduced after supplementation.

The beneficial effects of this supplement are a feature of non-pharmaceutical prevention strategies aimed at reducing the risk of age-related cardiovascular complications.

CARDIOVASCULAR AGEING IN HUMANS

Considering the results obtained with their bioavailable silicon, Phyco-Biotech laboratories and their R&D staff have decided to entrust a clinical study to Nîmes University Hospital entitled: Spirulicium Cardio. This study is conducted on a population of 120 subjects. The purpose is to demonstrate the preventive effects of silicon-enriched spirulina on the ageing of the cardiovascular system and to indicate the mechanisms of action.

COLLABORATORS

Anne VIRSOLVY¹,  Joanna ARTHUR-ATAAM¹, Patrice BIDEAUX¹, Pierre SICARD¹, Saadia EDDAHIBI¹, Sylvain RICHARD¹.

¹ Université de Montpellier- INSERM- CNRS, PhyMedExp, Montpellier, France