Kalafati M, Jamurtas AZ, Nikolaidis MG, Paschalis V, Theodorou AA,
Sakellariou
GK, Koutedakis Y, Kouretas D.
1Institute of Human Performance and Rehabilitation, Center for
Research and
Technology - Thessaly, Trikala, GREECE; 2Department of Physical
Education and
Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, GREECE; 3School of
Sport,
Performing Arts and Leisure, Wolverhampton University, Walshall,
UNITED KINGDOM;
and 4Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of
Thessaly, Larissa,
GREECE.
PURPOSE:: Spirulina is a popular nutritional supplement that is
accompanied by
claiMSS for antioxidant and performance-enhancing effects.
Therefore, the aim of
the present study was to examine the effect of spirulina
supplementation on (i)
exercise performance, (ii) substrate metabolism, and (iii) blood
redox status
both at rest and after exercise.
METHODS:: Nine moderately trained males
took
part in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, counterbalanced
crossover study. Each
subject received either spirulina (6 g.d) or placebo for 4 wk. Each
subject ran
on a treadmill at an intensity corresponding to 70%-75% of their V
O2max for 2 h
and then at 95% V O2max to exhaustion. Exercise performance and
respiratory
quotient during exercise were measured after both placebo and
spirulina
supplementation. Blood samples were drawn before, immediately
after, and at 1,
24, and 48 h after exercise. Reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized
glutathione
(GSSG), GSH/GSSG, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS),
protein
carbonyls, catalase activity, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)
were
determined.
RESULTS:: Time to fatigue after the 2-h
run was significantly longer
after spirulina supplementation (2.05 +/- 0.68 vs 2.70 +/- 0.79
min). Ingestion
of spirulina significantly decreased carbohydrate oxidation rate by
10.3% and
increased fat oxidation rate by 10.9% during the 2-h run compared
with the
placebo trial. GSH levels were higher after the spirulina
supplementation
compared with placebo at rest and 24 h after exercise. TBARS levels
increased
after exercise after placebo but not after spirulina
supplementation. Protein
carbonyls, catalase, and TAC levels increased similarly immediately
after and 1 h
after exercise in both groups.
CONCLUSIONS:: Spirulina supplementation
induced a
significant increase in exercise performance, fat oxidation, and
GSH
concentration and attenuated the exercise-induced increase in lipid
peroxidation.
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