Spirulina: the winning edge!

What if we could feed something to our horses that would reduce the damaging, catabolic effects of inflammation without interfering with the healthful, adaptive effects?

In a search for such a unicorn, Herbs for Horses has been working with researchers at the University of Guelph on a 4-year research program to see if spirulina can help reduce 'bad' inflammation without impairing 'good' inflammation.

Spirulina (also known as Blue-Green Algae) is a potent antioxidant, and there is evidence that it slows the progression of OA without messing with post-exercise recovery and adaptation. 

In one experiment, 16 horses were separated into one of two groups: one group received spirulina (30g/day) for 30 days, which the other group received a diet without spirulina. Both groups of horses underwent an exercise test on Day 0 and Day 30. For horses receiving spirulina, the exercise bout resulted in significantly higher hemoglobin and hematocrit (important for oxygen delivery to muscles), PGE2 (important for promoting muscle protein synthesis), ad lower creatine kinase (a maker of muscle damage) and nitric oxide (reactive oxygen species) in blood. 

Importantly, spirulina also increased resolvins in synovial fluid and blood, suggesting a protective role against development of inflammatory disorders such as arthritis. 

These data provide exciting new evidence for the ability of spirulina to improve the inflammatory response to exercise, reduce resulting muscle damage, improve oxygen delivery, and facilitate resolution of post-exercise inflammation in joints. 

In keeping with our commitment to scientific research and advancing knowledge in the area of equine nutraceuticals, financial support from Herbs for Horses of this project has funded a 4-year PhD stipend for Dr. Nadya Golestani in the Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, as well as funds for the direct costs of research. Studies resulting from Dr. Golestani's work are currently under review for publication in the scientific literature and will be available in the public domain in Winter 2024.

The Geek Zone

• Spirulina (Arthrospira sp.) research in horses

• Nawrocka D, Kornicka K, Śmieszek A, Marycz K. Spirulina platensis Improves Mitochondrial Function Impaired by Elevated Oxidative Stress in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (ASCs) and Intestinal Epithelial Cells (IECs), and Enhances Insulin Sensitivity in Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) Horses. Mar Drugs. 2017 Aug 3;15(8):237. doi: 10.3390/md15080237. PMID: 28771165; PMCID: PMC5577592.

• Tomal A, Szłapka-Kosarzewska J, Mironiuk M, Michalak I, Marycz K. Arthrospira platensis enriched with Cr(III), Mg(II), and Mn(II) ions improves insulin sensitivity and reduces systemic inflammation in equine metabolic affected horses. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024 Apr 16;15:1382844. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1382844. PMID: 38689728; PMCID: PMC11058661.
  
  

• Zeitoun MM, Ateah MA, Almaiman AT, Mansour MM. Spirulina Supplementation to the Semen Extender Influences the Quality and Antioxidant Parameters of Chilled or Cryopreserved Arabian Stallion Spermatozoa. J Equine Vet Sci. 2022 Nov;118:104108. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104108. Epub 2022 Aug 21. PMID: 36002116.

• Spirulina (Arthrospira sp.) research in exercise

• Chaouachi M, Vincent S, Groussard C. A Review of the Health-Promoting Properties of Spirulina with a Focus on athletes' Performance and Recovery. J Diet Suppl. 2024;21(2):210-241. doi: 10.1080/19390211.2023.2208663. Epub 2023 May 4. PMID: 37143238.

• Shahandeh F, Fathi R, Nasiri K. Spirulina supplement and exercise training affect lipid droplets-related genes expression in visceral adipose tissue. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2024 Jan-Feb;14(1):100-111. doi: 10.22038/AJP.2023.22915. PMID: 38948175; PMCID: PMC11210695.

• Supriya R, Delfan M, Saeidi A, Samaie SS, Al Kiyumi MH, Escobar KA, Laher I, Heinrich KM, Weiss K, Knechtle B, Zouhal H. Spirulina Supplementation with High-Intensity Interval Training Decreases Adipokines Levels and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Men with Obesity. Nutrients. 2023 Nov 23;15(23):4891. doi: 10.3390/nu15234891. PMID: 38068748; PMCID: PMC10707917.

• van der Heijden I, West S, Monteyne AJ, Finnigan TJA, Abdelrahman DR, Murton AJ, Stephens FB, Wall BT. Algae Ingestion Increases Resting and Exercised Myofibrillar Protein Synthesis Rates to a Similar Extent as Mycoprotein in Young Adults. J Nutr. 2023 Dec;153(12):3406-3417. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.08.035. Epub 2023 Sep 15. PMID: 37716611; PMCID: PMC10739781.