Effect of <i>Spirulina Nigrita<sup>®</sup></i> on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Humans: A Breath Analysis Study

In the current work, the non-invasive approach of breath analysis is implemented for the first time in an eccentric exercise protocol that investigated the effect of spirulina supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress. We assessed whether volatile alkanes in exhaled breath can serve as al...

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Main Authors: Anastasios Krokidas, Katerina Mikedi, Athanasios G. Gakis, Spyridon Methenitis, Tzortzis Nomikos, Magdalini Krokida
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/24/11501
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author Anastasios Krokidas
Katerina Mikedi
Athanasios G. Gakis
Spyridon Methenitis
Tzortzis Nomikos
Magdalini Krokida
author_facet Anastasios Krokidas
Katerina Mikedi
Athanasios G. Gakis
Spyridon Methenitis
Tzortzis Nomikos
Magdalini Krokida
author_sort Anastasios Krokidas
collection DOAJ
description In the current work, the non-invasive approach of breath analysis is implemented for the first time in an eccentric exercise protocol that investigated the effect of spirulina supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress. We assessed whether volatile alkanes in exhaled breath can serve as alternative biomarkers of oxidative stress. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover supplementation study was carried out enrolling 14 participants. The volunteers consumed 42 mg·kg<sup>−1</sup> body weight of either <i>Spirulina Nigrita<sup>®</sup></i> or maltodextrin, as a placebo, daily for 15 days. Afterward, they followed a damaging eccentric exercise protocol of the upper limbs. Expired breath samples were collected from them just before supplementation (baseline measurement), prior to exercise, and 1 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after exercise. The samples were analyzed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with a thermal desorption unit (TDU) to determine the alveolar gradient (AG) of several alkanes, C5–C14, that are known to be related to oxidative stress. Apart from breath analysis, TBARSs were also determined as a crude marker of lipid peroxidation. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA tests were applied to the alkanes’ AGs between the spirulina (SPI) and placebo (PL) groups across time. In the PL group, a trend of increasing almost all alkanes immediately after exercise, with a gradual return to pre-exercise levels up to 72 h later was revealed. A statistically significant time effect was observed for 2-methylhexane, 3-methylhexane, heptane, octane, and undecane. The administration of spirulina appeared to reduce the increases in alkanes after exercise, and a statistically significant attenuation was observed for 2-methylpentane and 2-methylhexane. An examination of TBARSs confirmed that the reduced increases observed in the SPI group were due to changes in lipid peroxidation, while a positive correlation between the iAUC of TBARSs and that of 2-methylhexane and 3-methylhexane was revealed. In conclusion, the analysis of volatile alkanes in exhaled breath may serve as an attractive alternative for assessing redox changes after eccentric exercise compared to traditional blood biomarkers.
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spelling doaj-art-77eab6584f2e4abb9d2fe64463ffaf3a2025-08-20T02:55:42ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-12-0114241150110.3390/app142411501Effect of <i>Spirulina Nigrita<sup>®</sup></i> on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Humans: A Breath Analysis StudyAnastasios Krokidas0Katerina Mikedi1Athanasios G. Gakis2Spyridon Methenitis3Tzortzis Nomikos4Magdalini Krokida5Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, 17676 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Chemical Science, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15772 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, 17676 Athens, GreeceSports Performance Laboratory, School of Physical Education & Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15772 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University of Athens, 17676 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Process Analysis and Plant Design, School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15772 Athens, GreeceIn the current work, the non-invasive approach of breath analysis is implemented for the first time in an eccentric exercise protocol that investigated the effect of spirulina supplementation on exercise-induced oxidative stress. We assessed whether volatile alkanes in exhaled breath can serve as alternative biomarkers of oxidative stress. A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, crossover supplementation study was carried out enrolling 14 participants. The volunteers consumed 42 mg·kg<sup>−1</sup> body weight of either <i>Spirulina Nigrita<sup>®</sup></i> or maltodextrin, as a placebo, daily for 15 days. Afterward, they followed a damaging eccentric exercise protocol of the upper limbs. Expired breath samples were collected from them just before supplementation (baseline measurement), prior to exercise, and 1 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after exercise. The samples were analyzed by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with a thermal desorption unit (TDU) to determine the alveolar gradient (AG) of several alkanes, C5–C14, that are known to be related to oxidative stress. Apart from breath analysis, TBARSs were also determined as a crude marker of lipid peroxidation. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA tests were applied to the alkanes’ AGs between the spirulina (SPI) and placebo (PL) groups across time. In the PL group, a trend of increasing almost all alkanes immediately after exercise, with a gradual return to pre-exercise levels up to 72 h later was revealed. A statistically significant time effect was observed for 2-methylhexane, 3-methylhexane, heptane, octane, and undecane. The administration of spirulina appeared to reduce the increases in alkanes after exercise, and a statistically significant attenuation was observed for 2-methylpentane and 2-methylhexane. An examination of TBARSs confirmed that the reduced increases observed in the SPI group were due to changes in lipid peroxidation, while a positive correlation between the iAUC of TBARSs and that of 2-methylhexane and 3-methylhexane was revealed. In conclusion, the analysis of volatile alkanes in exhaled breath may serve as an attractive alternative for assessing redox changes after eccentric exercise compared to traditional blood biomarkers.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/24/11501breath analysisexercise-induced oxidative stressfood supplementsspirulina
spellingShingle Anastasios Krokidas
Katerina Mikedi
Athanasios G. Gakis
Spyridon Methenitis
Tzortzis Nomikos
Magdalini Krokida
Effect of <i>Spirulina Nigrita<sup>®</sup></i> on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Humans: A Breath Analysis Study
Applied Sciences
breath analysis
exercise-induced oxidative stress
food supplements
spirulina
title Effect of <i>Spirulina Nigrita<sup>®</sup></i> on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Humans: A Breath Analysis Study
title_full Effect of <i>Spirulina Nigrita<sup>®</sup></i> on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Humans: A Breath Analysis Study
title_fullStr Effect of <i>Spirulina Nigrita<sup>®</sup></i> on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Humans: A Breath Analysis Study
title_full_unstemmed Effect of <i>Spirulina Nigrita<sup>®</sup></i> on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Humans: A Breath Analysis Study
title_short Effect of <i>Spirulina Nigrita<sup>®</sup></i> on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Humans: A Breath Analysis Study
title_sort effect of i spirulina nigrita sup r sup i on exercise induced oxidative stress in humans a breath analysis study
topic breath analysis
exercise-induced oxidative stress
food supplements
spirulina
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/24/11501
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