Spirulina Supplementation: A Protective Strategy Against Overtraining-Induced Physiological Stress and Anemia in Rats

Physical training is essential for improving athletic performance, but excessive training can have negative consequences. This study examined the potential protective effects of Spirulina supplementation against the impacts of overtraining and anemia in rats. The experiment involved thirty male Wistar rats, which were categorized into five groups: Control, Moderately Trained (MT), Overtrained (OT), Moderately Trained with Spirulina (MTS), and Overtrained with Spirulina (OTS). The training protocol involved daily swimming sessions for either 1 hour (MT and MTS) or 4 hours (OT and OTS) over a 4-week period. Biochemical assessments encompassed indicators such as creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Testosterone, Cortisol, and parameters related to iron levels (hemoglobin, ferritin, iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity). Results showed that overtraining induced significant increases in CPK and LDH levels, indicative of muscle damage. Moreover, overtrained rats exhibited lower hemoglobin and ferritin levels, suggesting iron deficiency anemia. Spirulina significantly attenuated these effects, particularly in the OTS group, which showed reduced CPK and LDH levels and improved iron profile compared to the OT group. Spirulina’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties likely contributed to these protective effects. Spirulina supplementation appears to mitigate the adverse effects of overtraining and anemia in rats, potentially enhancing performance outcomes and underscoring the importance of proper nutrient supplementation in athletic training.