Spirulina supplementation prevents exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, inflammation and skeletal muscle damage in elite rugby players.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to examine the effects of spirulina supplementation on pro/antioxidant status, inflammation and skeletal muscle damage markers immediately and 24 h after exhaustive exercise in elite rugby players. METHODS: Seventeen elite male Rugby Union players were randomly assigned to a spirulina (SPI: n = 9) or placebo (PLA: n = 8) group in a double-blind design. Subjects were supplemented with Spirulina platensis (5.7 g day-1 ) or placebo (isoproteic and caloric) for 7 weeks. At baseline and after 7 weeks of supplementation, blood samples were obtained before (T0), immediately after (T1) and 24 h after (T2) exhaustive exercise. The Yoyo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 was used as an exhaustive exercise to induce oxidative stress (OS), inflammation and skeletal muscle damage. The studied parameters included pro/antioxidant status markers (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione/glutathione disulphide ratio, oxidised low-density lipoprotein and F2α-isoprostanes [F2-Isop]), inflammation markers (myeloperoxidase and C-reactive protein [CRP]) and skeletal muscle damage markers (lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase [CK]). RESULTS: Our results showed that F2-Isop, CRP and CK levels significantly increased at T1 only in the PLA group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively) with no change in the SPI group, which reflects the effect of spirulina to prevent lipid peroxidation, inflammation and skeletal muscle damage induced by exhaustive exercise. Moreover, spirulina supplementation accelerated the return to baseline values given that F2-Isop, CRP and CK levels at T2 were significantly lower than at T0 in the SPI group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the markers used in the present study, our results show that spirulina supplementation potentially prevents exercise-induced lipid peroxidation, inflammation and skeletal muscle damage, and may also accelerate the recovery of some of these markers. Based on our findings, we recommend spirulina supplementation especially for those athletes who do not achieve the recommended antioxidant dietary intake and who perform a high training load aiming to reduce the magnitude of OS, inflammation and skeletal muscle damage, which could help to reduce performance losses and accelerate recovery after training/competitions throughout the season.

The Common Sunstar Crossaster papposus-A Neurotoxic Starfish.

Saxitoxins (STXs) are a family of potent neurotoxins produced naturally by certain species of phytoplankton and cyanobacteria which are extremely toxic to mammalian nervous systems. The accumulation of STXs in bivalve molluscs can significantly impact animal and human health. Recent work conducted in the North Sea highlighted the widespread presence of various saxitoxins in a range of benthic organisms, with the common sunstar (Crossaster papposus) demonstrating high concentrations of saxitoxins. In this study, an extensive sampling program was undertaken across multiple seas surrounding the UK, with 146 starfish and 5 brittlestars of multiple species analysed for STXs. All the common sunstars analysed (n > 70) contained quantifiable levels of STXs, with the total concentrations ranging from 99 to 11,245 µg STX eq/kg. The common sunstars were statistically different in terms of toxin loading to all the other starfish species tested. Two distinct toxic profiles were observed in sunstars, a decarbomylsaxitoxin (dcSTX)-dominant profile which encompassed samples from most of the UK coast and an STX and gonyautoxin2 (GTX2) profile from the North Yorkshire coast of England. Compartmentalisation studies demonstrated that the female gonads exhibited the highest toxin concentrations of all the individual organs tested, with concentrations >40,000 µg STX eq/kg in one sample. All the sunstars, male or female, exhibited the presence of STXs in the skin, digestive glands and gonads. This study highlights that the common sunstar ubiquitously contains STXs, independent of the geographical location around the UK and often at concentrations many times higher than the current regulatory limits for STXs in molluscs; therefore, the common sunstar should be considered toxic hereafter.

Spirulina platensis Provides a Small Advantage in Vertical Jump and Sprint Performance But Does Not Improve Elite Rugby Players' Body Composition.

The present study aimed to examine the effects of Spirulina supplementation on anthropometrical measurements and physical performance in elite rugby players. Twenty-two elite male Rugby Union players (21-36 years old) volunteered to participate in this study. They were randomly assigned to a Spirulina group (SPI: n = 11), or a placebo group (PLA: n = 11) in a double-blind design. Subjects were supplemented with Spirulina platensis (5.7 g/d) or placebo (isoproteic and caloric) for 7 weeks. At baseline (W0) and after 7 weeks of supplementation (W7), the same anthropometric measurements and physical performance test battery were performed. These tests included isokinetic leg strength and power, vertical jump, speed, and aerobic fitness assessment. For anthropometric data, the fat mass percentage was significantly reduced in both groups without significant difference between groups. While both groups exhibited significant improvements for Squat Jump (SJ), Countermovement Jump (CMJ), and 10- and 30-m sprints between W0 and W7, higher percentage improvements with the SPI group did not reach significance. Neither training alone (PLA) nor training associated with Spirulina supplementation affected leg maximal strength and power or aerobic fitness. Seven weeks of Spirulina supplementation in elite rugby players did not improve body composition or substantially increase physical performance. We only observed a non-significant small advantage in vertical jump and sprint performance in the SPI group. Based on the data from this study, Spirulina supplementation has modest effects in elite rugby players during the competitive phase. Further studies are required to verify Spirulina supplementation effects among athletes of different sports, ages, genders, and athletic levels with longer durations and higher dosages.