Spirulina supplementation and oxidative stress and pro‐inflammatory biomarkers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of controlled clinical trials

Abstract

Studies investigating the effects of spirulina on inflammation and oxidative stress status are controversial. Therefore, the current systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the impacts of spirulina supplementation on oxidative stress indicators and inflammatory markers. PubMed‐Medline, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Embase databases and Google Scholar were searched up to 1 October 2020. Random‐effect analysis was applied to perform meta‐analysis. Subgroup analyses and multivariate meta‐regression were performed to find heterogeneity sources. Quality assessment was conducted using Cochrane Collaboration’s tool. A total of 11 studies that enrolled 465 subjects were included in our meta‐analysis. Pooled results demonstrated a significant increase in interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) concentrations [Standardized mean difference (SMD = 2.69 pg/mL; 95% CI: 0.26, 5.11; P = .03)]; however this result changed to insignificant (SMD = 0.54 pg/mL; 95% CI: −1.29, 2.27; P > .05) when sensitivity analysis performed. A marginal decreasing effect were also found on interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) (SMD = −0.72 mg/dL; 95% CI: −1.50, 0.07; P = .073) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels (SMD = −0.65; 95% CI: −1.37, 0.08; P = .08). In addition, results of subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction in IL‐6 and TBARS concentrations when the baseline body mass index (BMI) of participants was lower than 25 kg/m2. Moreover, spirulina had no significant effect on tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) (SMD = −0.07 mg/dL; 95% CI: −0.33, 0.18; P = .56) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (SMD = −0.42; 95% CI: −0.98, 0.14; P = .14). Spirulina consumption contributed to a significant increase in IL‐2 concentrations changing to insignificant after sensitivity analysis and marginal decreasing effects on IL‐6 and TBARS levels. No considerable impacts were observed on TNF‐α and MDA concentrations.

The protective effects of topiramate and spirulina against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats

“…This superior action of SP can be attributed to its natural composition, which possesses powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 22…”

“…21 Due to its richness in many bioactive elements, SP exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities. 22,23…”

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of spirulina in exercise and sport: A systematic review

“…Studies in animal models have reported an anti-inflammatory effect of SP ( 60 , 61 ) comparable to that of diclofenac sodium ( 60 ). In humans, results from a recent meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials demonstrated that SP supplementation resulted in a significant reduction of IL-6 concentrations when the baseline body mass index (BMI) of participants was lower than 25 kg/m 2 ( 62 ). Almost none of the studies included in our work that evaluated the effects of SP on muscle damage showed any benefit on CK ( 8 , 9 , 39 ) and DOMS ( 36 ), suggesting no implication in muscle recovery.…”

Advances in delivery methods of Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) for enhanced therapeutic outcomes

“…All the results achieved a 95% confidence limit with significance [80], admitting that A. platensis supplementation boosted IL-2 concentrations substantially but had no effect on TNF-α or MDA levels. However, with the participation of both genders, the MDA levels have fallen significantly.…”

“…A systemic review and meta-analysis study was conducted on 11 articles (from 2005 to 2018) after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, including identity, screening, eligibility and extracting relevant trial studies, including controls done by Mohiti et al [80] on the significance of A. platensis in affecting oxidative stress (MDA and TBARS) and proinflammatory cytokines (Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factoralpha (TNF-α)). Overall, all the data presented in the 11 studies included participants of genders, irrelevant ages and races, and different body mass indexes (BMIs).…”