# The effects of spirulina under high-intensity interval training on levels of nesfatin-1, omentin-1, and lipid profiles in overweight and obese females: A randomized, controlled, single-blind trial

PMID: 34084189
Journal: Journal of research in medical sciences : the official journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences
Published: 2021
Authors: Golestani F, Mogharnasi M, Erfani-Far M, Abtahi-Eivari SH

## Question

Do 4 weeks of HIIT plus spirulina versus HIIT plus placebo change nesfatin-1, omentin-1, lipid profile, and body composition in overweight and obese females?

## Summary

In 20 overweight or obese young women, 4 weeks of RAST-style sprint running HIIT increased omentin-1 in both spirulina and placebo groups, while nesfatin-1 increased only with spirulina. Lipid levels did not improve, no important harms were reported, and the short study without a non-exercise control should be interpreted cautiously.

## Population

- Overweight and obese young women from a university sample
- Sample size: 20
- Age: 21.55 +/- 1.76 years
- Sex: Female
- Fitness level: No professional training for last 6 months
- Health status: Overweight/obese, free of chronic disease and exercise-limiting medical conditions

## Methodology

- Randomized quasi-experimental controlled single-blind pre-post trial
- 4 weeks
- University exercise setting in Iran
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- RAST-style sprint HIIT.
- Modality: Running sprints.
- Work intervals: 35-meter maximal sprint.
- Recovery: 10 seconds active rest; 3 minutes between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: 6 sprints per set; 2-4 sets by week.
- Intensity: 100% maximum speed.
- Session duration: Varied; includes 15-minute warm-up and 15-minute cool-down.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 4 weeks.
- Progression: 2 sets week 1, 3 sets week 2, 4 sets week 3, 3 sets week 4.
- Same HIIT plus placebo.
- Modality: Same sprint-running HIIT.
- Work intervals: 35-meter maximal sprint.
- Recovery: 10 seconds active rest; 3 minutes between sets.
- Sets or repetitions: Same.
- Intensity: Same.
- Session duration: Same.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 4 weeks.
- Progression: Same.

## Outcomes

### Nesfatin-1
Status: improved
Nesfatin-1 increased in the spirulina group and differed between groups.

HIIT+spirulina +0.99 mg/dL, p<0.001; between groups p=0.04.

### Omentin-1
Status: improved
Omentin-1 increased in both groups, without a significant between-group difference.

HIIT+spirulina p<0.001; HIIT+placebo p=0.03; between groups p=0.49.

### Lipids
Status: no clear change
Total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, and HDL-C did not significantly change.

Inter- and intragroup lipid differences p>0.05.

### Body fat
Status: improved
Body fat percentage decreased in both groups, without significant between-group differences.

HIIT+spirulina -3.57%, p<0.001; HIIT+placebo -2.21%, p=0.01; intergroup p>0.05.

### Harms
Status: improved
No unintended or important harms were reported.

0 reported important harms.

## Practical Insights

- Short sprint-running HIIT may move some adipokine markers but should not be framed as improving lipids in 4 weeks.
- Set-count progression over weeks is a usable internal workout-generation pattern for appropriate runners.
- Supplement effects should remain separate from exercise claims.

## Limitations

- Small sample.
- No non-exercise control group.
- Diet was not strictly controlled.
- Short intervention duration.
- Body fat estimation method was less accurate than DEXA or MRI.

## Safety And Adherence

- No unintended or important harms were reported in either group.
- Participants were screened to exclude chronic disease and exercise-limiting medical conditions.
- Warm-up and cool-down were each 15 minutes.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34084189/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.4103/jrms.JRMS_1317_20) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8103962/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

Preserve the paper-level scope of this note. Do not generalize beyond the population, protocol, measured outcomes, and limitations above.