The Combinatory Effect of Spirulina Supplementation and Resistance Exercise on Plasma Contents of Adipolin, Apelin, Ghrelin, and Glucose in Overweight and Obese Men

Abstract

Introduction and Objective. Researchers are considering combining exercise and supplementation as a new strategy for weight loss and obesity prevention. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of eight weeks of circuit resistance training and spirulina supplementation on plasma levels of adipolin, apelin, ghrelin, and glucose in overweight and obese men. Methods. The current investigation was conducted in a single-blind and quasiexperimental fashion. Sixty overweight and obese men ( BMI > 25 ) ranging in age from 30 to 55 years were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to one of four groups: training plus spirulina (T+S), training plus placebo (T+P), spirulina (S), or placebo (P). For eight weeks, the (S) and (P) groups consumed two 500 mg spirulina and placebo capsules daily, respectively. Resistance training was performed three sessions a week over eight weeks, consisting of 12 movements with 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-minute rest intervals and 40-90 percent maximal repetition. Adipolin, apelin, and ghrelin indices were measured before and after exercise using special kits. Results. All variables changed significantly between groups except for apelin. Within-group comparisons revealed a substantial increase in adipolin levels in the (T+S) and (T+P) groups ( P < 0.05 ). Apelin levels were decreased in the (T+S) and (T+P) groups. Additionally, FBS levels reduced significantly in (T+S) ( P = 0.01 ). Conclusion. It seems that eight weeks of circuit resistance training and spirulina supplementation can lead to reduced weight and apelin and FBS levels as well as increased concentrations of adipolin and ghrelin contents in overweight and obese men.

Spirulina supplementation and circuit resistance training (CRT) reduce serum Asprosin and appetite and improve energy balance in overweight and obese Men

“…Past studies have shown that spirulina has an anti-obesity effect, similar to regular exercise, by activating the AMPK pathway and increasing sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) on the muscle tissue [20,23,33]. In fact, AMPK regulates NF-kappa B (NF-kB), Forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) by regulating SIRT1 activity, which leads to an increase in adiponectin and leptin hormones, which has a positive effect on reducing fat mass [23,31,34]. It is possible that the lower level of ASP in the training plus spirulina group is due to a greater decrease in appetite, calorie intake, weight and MBF in this group compared to other groups.…”

“…Every session included 12 movements that participants followed very low, low, moderate, or high intensity exercise in every movement. Details of the CRT program is shown in Tables 1 and 2 [23]. Each training session was started with warm-up and nished with cooldown (10 minutes).…”

“…0278 -(Repeats up to exhausting x 0. 0278) It should be noted that the same protocol and program design have been performed on the same participants in the researchers' previous papers [23,25].…”

The effect of spirulina sauce on glycemic index, lipid profile, and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized double‐blind clinical trial

“…Moreover, the intervention duration and sample size were higher than ours, and such differences may be explanatory factors for the insignificant results for fullness, desire to eat, and satiety, while the scores for hunger and ability to eat were reduced. Investigations into the effect of Spirulina on leptin and ghrelin, as hormones that regulate satiety and hunger, have yielded mixed results (Kaka et al, 2019 ; Mohammad et al, 2022 ), and generally did not support appetite reducing effects. Thus, further studies assessing the impact of Spirulina on the appetite‐related hormones are needed.…”

“…Investigations into the effect of Spirulina on leptin and ghrelin, as hormones that regulate satiety and hunger, have yielded mixed results (Kaka et al, 2019;Mohammad et al, 2022), and generally did not support appetite reducing effects. Thus, further studies assessing the impact of Spirulina on the appetite-related hormones are needed.…”