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

PMID: 38068748
Journal: Nutrients
Published: 2023 Nov 23
Authors: 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.

## Population

- Inactive adult men with obesity.
- Sample size: 44
- Sex: Male
- Fitness level: No regular physical activity in previous 6 months
- Health status: BMI >30 kg/m2; no cardiovascular or endocrine disorder history

## Methodology

- Randomized four-group controlled intervention
- 12 weeks
- In-person treadmill training and laboratory testing
- Randomized and controlled study design.

## Protocol

- Treadmill HIIT plus Spirulina.
- Modality: Treadmill running.
- Work intervals: 4 min.
- Recovery: 4 min inactive or active recovery depending on week.
- Sets or repetitions: Four intervals during 32 min main set.
- Intensity: 75-95% VO2peak for work intervals.
- Session duration: 42 min including warm-up and cooldown.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Weeks 1-2 lower-intensity adaptation; weeks 3-12 interval intensity progressed from 75% to 95% VO2peak.
- Control, Spirulina only, and HIIT only.
- Modality: Control daily activities; Spirulina capsules; same treadmill HIIT with placebo.
- Work intervals: HIIT comparator used same 4 min work intervals.
- Recovery: HIIT comparator used same 4 min recovery intervals.
- Sets or repetitions: Four intervals in HIIT comparator.
- Intensity: Same treadmill HIIT prescription for training group.
- Session duration: 42 min for HIIT comparator.
- Frequency: 3 sessions/week for HIIT comparator.
- Program length: 12 weeks.
- Progression: Same as intervention HIIT.

## Outcomes

### VO2peak
Status: improved
VO2peak increased in HIIT and HIIT plus Spirulina groups.

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

### Lipids
Status: improved
HDL increased and LDL, total cholesterol, and triglycerides decreased in intervention groups.

Lipid time x group interactions p=0.0001.

### Inflammation
Status: improved
CRP, Sema3C, TNF-alpha, IL-6, MCP-1, and IL-8 generally decreased in intervention groups.

Reported interactions p<=0.003 across markers.

### BMI
Status: no clear change
BMI was not significantly different from baseline in any group.

Within-group BMI p>0.05.

## Practical 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 And Adherence

- 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.

## Original Sources

- [PubMed](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38068748/) (pubmed)
- [DOI](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15234891) (doi)
- [PMC full text](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10707917/) (full text)

## Agent Guidance

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