The effects of spirulina under high intensity interval training on levels of nesfatin 1 omentin 1 and lipid profiles in overweight and obese females A randomized controlled single blind trial

We investigated the effects of spirulina under high‑intensity interval training (HIIT) on levels of nesfatin‑1, omentin‑1,
and lipid profiles in overweight and obese females.

This is a randomized, quasi‑experimental controlled, single‑blind with a pre‑ and post‑test design, in which twenty overweight and obese women (body mass index = 29.32 ± 3.01 kg/m2, age = 21.55 ± 1.76 years), were randomly divided into the following groups: HIIT + spirulina (n = 10) and HIIT + placebo (n = 10). Running anaerobic sprint test was used for HIIT protocol consisting of six intervals at 35 m maximal speed runs, with a rest of 10 s in each trial (3 times/week, 4 weeks). HIIT + spirulina group received 500 mg of the spirulina pills twice daily for 4 weeks and the second group took placebo.

There was a significant increase in serum levels of nesfatin‑1 in HIIT + spirulina (P < 0.0001) but not in HIIT + placebo (P = 0.61) group. Furthermore, results indicated a significant difference between two groups with respect
to serum levels of nesfatin‑1 (P = 0.04). Serum levels of omentin‑1 significantly increased in both groups (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between two groups (P = 0.49). In addition, results showed no significant inter‑ and intra‑group differences in total cholesterol levels, triglycerides, low‑density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high‑density lipoprotein cholesterol between groups (P > 0.05).

The spirulina under HIIT increased levels of nesfatin‑1 and omentin‑1 with no effects on the levels of lipid profiles in overweight and obese females.