Nutr Res Pract.  2016 Aug;10(4):418-423. 10.4162/nrp.2016.10.4.418.

The influence of obesity on the effects of spirulina supplementation in the human metabolic response of Korean elderly

• Park HJ
• Lee HS

• KMID: 2390145
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2016.10.4.418

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Spirulina, a blue-green alga, is widely produced and commercialized as a dietary supplement with bio- and immune-modulatory functions. We have previously shown that spirulina had favorable effects on lipid profiles, immune functions, and antioxidant capacity in healthy Korean elderly. Despite favorable effect of spirulina supplementation, some sub-populations have shown a poor response to supplementation. Obesity is a factor related to poor-response. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the immuno-modulation, antioxidant capacity, and lipid-lowering effect of spirulina in obese and non-obese Korean elderly.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
The subjects were 78 elderly aged 60-87 years. In a randomized double blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects were fed either placebo or spirulina daily, at 8 g for 12 weeks. Subjects were divided into the non-obese group and the obese group based on body mass index (BMI) criteria for Asians suggested by the International Obesity Task Force: BMI < 25 kg/m² (non-obese) and BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² (obese).
RESULTS
In the non-obese group, spirulina supplementation showed a significant lowering effect on plasma concentration of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, a significant increase in interleukin (IL)-2 concentration (P < 0.01) and a significant increment (P < 0.05) in IL-2/IL-6 ratio, and a significant increase in total antioxidant status level and a significant decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level. However, these effects were not observed in the obese group.
CONCLUSIONS
These results demonstrated that blood lipid lowering and immune and antioxidant improving response for spirulina supplement was affected by obesity in Korean elderly.

Keyword

BMI; spirulina; antioxidant effect; dyslipidemia; immunity

MeSH Terms

Advisory Committees
Aged*
Antioxidants
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Body Mass Index
Cholesterol
Dietary Supplements
Dyslipidemias
Humans*
Interleukins
Obesity*
Plasma
Spirulina*
Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
Antioxidants
Cholesterol
Interleukins
Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances

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