Astaxanthin Supplemented with High-Intensity Functional Training Decreases Adipokines Levels and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Men with Obesity

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity training with astaxanthin supplementation on adipokine levels, insulin resistance and lipid profiles in males with obesity. Sixty-eight males with obesity were randomly stratified into four groups of seventeen subjects each: control group (CG), supplement group (SG), training group (TG), and training plus supplement group (TSG). Participants underwent 12 weeks of treatment with astaxanthin or placebo (20 mg/d capsule daily). The training protocol consisted of 36 sessions of high-intensity functional training (HIFT), 60 min/sessions, and three sessions/week. Metabolic profiles, body composition, anthropometrical measurements, cardio-respiratory indices and adipokine [Cq1/TNF-related protein 9 and 2 (CTRP9 and CTRP2) levels, and growth differentiation factors 8 and 15 (GDF8 and GDF15)] were measured. There were significant differences for all indicators between the groups (p < 0.05). Post-hoc analysis indicated that the levels of CTRP9, CTRP2, and GDF8 were different from CG (p < 0.05), although levels of GDF15 were similar to CG (p > 0.05). Levels of GDF8 were similar in the SG and TG groups (p > 0.05), with reductions of GDF15 levels in both training groups (p < 0.05). A total of 12 weeks of astaxanthin supplementation and exercise training decreased adipokines levels, body composition (weight, %fat), anthropometrical factors (BMI), and improved lipid and metabolic profiles. These benefits were greater for men with obesity in the TSG group.

Nutrition and Exercise Interventions on Skeletal Muscle Physiology, Injury and Recovery: From Mechanisms to Therapy

“…This association was able to improve the adipokine level profile concomitantly with ameliorations in body composition and lipid profile in obese male individuals. These results corroborate the findings of Saeidi et al [ 12 ] and suggest that this interventional combination can acts as an effective therapy to decrease the deleterious effects of obesity in metabolism and the adipokine and lipid level profile.…”

The Combined Effects of High-Intensity Interval Exercise Training and Dietary Supplementation on Reduction of Body Fat in Adults with Overweight and Obesity: A Systematic Review

“…The majority of the analysed scientific articles demonstrated statistically significant effects of HIIT and DS on BF and induced a reduction of %FAT, body fat mass, BMI, or waist-to-hip ratio [32,33,36,[39][40][41][42][43][44]. On the contrary, two investigations [35,37] did not find any effects of HIIT combined with DS on BF in older adults with overweight and obesity.…”

“…Adipokine dysregulation is observed in obesity and contributes to obesity-related disorders [46]. In the current review, five studies [32,37,[42][43][44] assessed the effects of HIIT + DS on blood adipokines and insulin homeostasis and four of them found beneficial modifications [32,[42][43][44]. Whereas the effects of HIIT alone or in combination with DS on fasting glucose and insulin, as the indicators of insulin resistance, without the effects of HIIT + DS on adipokines were assessed by two studies [35,41], which, interestingly, had chosen similar HIIT protocols and vitamin D 3 supplementation.…”

“…Apart from the 40-m shuttle run, other HIIT protocols had been implemented in the reviewed studies. Some of them used longer HIIT sessions, lasting between 30 and 60 min [42][43][44], whilst others focused on much shorter sessions [32,40] lasting between 8 and 30 s. Regardless of its duration, each HIIT session combined with DS (see Table 2) has been found effective in improving the body composition of participants with overweight and obesity, especially in reducing their BF. Regarding the duration of HIIT, shorter (6-week) and longer (up to 12 week) HIIT programmes were as effective in reducing BF in individuals with overweight and obesity.…”

“…In their two studies, Saeidi et al [42,43] observed beneficial effects of a 12-week high-intensity functional training Cross-fit ® , a form of HIIT [56], combined with either astaxanthin [42] or spinach-derived thylakoid [43] on selected markers of metabolic health. Cross-fit ® + astaxanthin significantly reduced CTRP2, CTRP9, myostatin and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) [42]. In obesity, these adipokines have been shown to be elevated and to negatively affect lipid and glucose metabolism, and skeletal muscle homeostasis [57][58][59][60].…”