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

Background: 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. Materials and Methods: 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. Results: 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). Conclusion: 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.