PMID 38068748

Research
All papers

Spirulina Supplementation with High-Intensity Interval Training Decreases Adipokines Levels and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Men with Obesity

Supriya R, Delfan M, Saeidi A, Samaie SS, Al Kiyumi MH, Escobar KA, Laher I, Heinrich KM, Weiss K, Knechtle B, Zouhal H

Question

Do 12 weeks of HIIT, Spirulina supplementation, or their combination improve adipokines, lipid profiles, anthropometrics, and cardiorespiratory fitness in men with obesity?

Summary

In men with obesity, 12 weeks of treadmill HIIT improved VO2peak and several lipid and inflammatory markers. Spirulina alone also improved several markers, and the combined HIIT plus Spirulina group generally showed the strongest cardiometabolic changes.

Methodology

  • Inactive adult men with obesity.
  • 44 participants.
  • Treadmill running.
  • Work intervals: 4 min.
  • Recovery: 4 min inactive or active recovery depending on week.
  • Intensity: 75-95% VO2peak for work intervals.
  • 42 min including warm-up and cooldown.
  • 3 sessions/week.
  • 12 weeks.
  • Randomized four-group controlled intervention
  • VO2peak, Lipids, Adipokines/cytokines, and Body weight/BMI were tracked.

Outcomes

VO2peak

VO2peak increased in HIIT and HIIT plus Spirulina groups.

TG p=0.001; TSG p=0.0001; time x group p=0.001.

Improved

Lipids

HDL increased and LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides decreased in intervention groups.

Lipid time x group interactions p=0.0001.

Improved

Inflammation

CRP, Sema3C, TNF-alpha, IL-6, MCP-1, and IL-8 generally decreased in intervention groups.

Reported interactions p<=0.003 across markers.

Improved

BMI

BMI was not significantly different from baseline in any group.

Within-group BMI p>0.05.

No clear change

Insights

  • A two-week adaptation phase before treadmill HIIT is useful for inactive men with obesity.
  • 4-minute interval formats can improve VO2peak and lipid markers when supervised.
  • Supplement findings should not be merged into exercise-only claims.

Limitations

  • Women were excluded
  • Mechanisms of Spirulina were not measured
  • Blood pressure, heart rate, fat percentage, and MET were listed as not measured for study subjects
  • Twenty participants withdrew before final analysis
  • Exercise attendance details were not reported

Safety

  • No adverse events were reported.
  • Twenty participants withdrew because of medical conditions, work-related challenges, or lack of sustained interest.
  • Participants were medically screened, completed PAR-Q, and those with cardiovascular/endocrine disorders, joint ailments, physical disabilities, or relevant medication/supplement use were excluded.