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h2s
11-12-2012, 10:28 AM
Ergogenic and antioxidant effects of spirulina supplementation in humans.


Ergogenic and antioxidant effects of spirulina supplementation in humans.
Kalafati M, Jamurtas AZ, Nikolaidis MG, Paschalis V, Theodorou AA, Sakellariou GK, Koutedakis Y, Kouretas D.
Source

Institute of Human Performance and Rehabilitation, Center for Research and Technology - Thessaly, Trikala, Greece.
Abstract
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 x d(-1)) or placebo for 4 wk. Each subject ran on a treadmill at an intensity corresponding to 70%-75% of their VO2max for 2 h and then at 95% VO2max 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.

Ergogenic and antioxidant effects of sp... [Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20010119)

h2s
11-12-2012, 10:30 AM
Spirulina prevents memory dysfunction, reduces oxidative stress damage and augments antioxidant activity in senescence-accelerated mice


Spirulina prevents memory dysfunction, reduces oxidative stress damage and augments antioxidant activity in senescence-accelerated mice.
Hwang JH, Lee IT, Jeng KC, Wang MF, Hou RC, Wu SM, Chan YC.
Source

Department of Otolaryngology, Buddhist Dalin Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan.
Abstract

Spirulina has proven to be effective in treating certain cancers, hyperlipidemia, immunodeficiency, and inflammatory processes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of Spirulina on memory dysfunction, oxidative stress damage and antioxidant enzyme activity. Three-month-old male senescence-accelerated prone-8 (SAMP8) mice were randomly assigned to either a control group or to one of two experimental groups (one receiving daily dietary supplementation with 50 mg/kg BW and one with 200 mg/kg BW of Spirulina platensis water extract). Senescence-accelerated-resistant (SAMR1) mice were used as the external control. Results showed that the Spirulina-treated groups had better passive and avoidance scores than the control group. The amyloid β-protein (Aβ) deposition was significantly reduced at the hippocampus and whole brain in both Spirulina groups. The levels of lipid peroxidation were significantly reduced at the hippocampus, striatum, and cortex in both Spirulina groups, while catalase activity was significantly higher only in the 200 mg/kg BW Spirulina group than in the control group. Glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly higher only in the cortex of the 200 mg/kg group than in that of the SAMP8 control group. However, superoxide dismutase activity in all parts of the brain did not significantly differ among all groups. In conclusion, Spirulina platensis may prevent the loss of memory possibly by lessening Aβ protein accumulation, reducing oxidative damage and mainly augmenting the catalase activity.

Spirulina prevents memory dysfu... [J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2011] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21697639)

h2s
11-12-2012, 10:32 AM
Spirulina enhanced the skeletal muscle protein in growing rats.


Spirulina enhanced the skeletal muscle protein in growing rats.
Voltarelli FA, de Mello MA.
Source

Dept. of Physical Education, UNESP-São Paulo State University, 24-A Avenue, number 1515-District: Bela Vista, 13506-900, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil. faunesp8@yahoo.com.br
Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM OF THE STUDY: This study evaluates the effects of the blue green alga spirulina as the sole dietary source of protein on muscle protein in weaning rats.
METHODS:

Young (30 days) Wistar rats were fed, during 60 days, with 17% protein spirulina (S) and compared to rats fed 17% protein casein (C). We evaluated the muscle total protein and DNA contents and the in vitro protein synthesis and degradation rates as well the myosin protein expression.
RESULTS:

The groups presented similar body weight (C = 427.3 +/- 8.6; S = 434.6 +/- 7.7 g) and length (C = 25.4 +/- 0.2; S = 25.6 +/- 0.2 cm). Soleus muscle total protein (C = 2.9 +/- 0.1; S = 2.7 +/- 0.1 mg/100 mg) and DNA (C = 0.084 +/- 0.005; S = 0.074 +/- 0.005 mg/100 mg) contents were also similar in both groups. Protein degradation (C = 427.5 +/- 40.6; S = 476.7 +/- 50.5 pmol/mg(-1) h(-1)) did not differ between the groups but protein synthesis (C = 17.5 +/- 1.0; S = 25.2 +/- 1.9 pmol/mg(-1) h(-1)) and myosin content (western blot analyses) were higher (P < 0.05, t test) in spirulina group.
CONCLUSIONS:

Although the spirulina proved adequate protein quality to maintain body growth, the muscle protein synthesis rates were increased by the ingestion of the experimental diet in young rats.

Spirulina enhanced the skeletal muscle protein in... [Eur J Nutr. 2008] - PubMed - NCBI (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18807105)