Impact of using supplemented thylakoids derived from spinach for 12 weeks of high-intensity functional training on adipo-myokines in obese males

Abbassi-Daloii, Asieh; Hoteit, Maha; Sadek, Zahra; Khak-Rand, Mahboubeh; Ramezani, Akbar; Pashaei, Zhaleh; Afshar, Mahsa; Escobar, Kurt A.; Supriya, Rashmi; Saeidi, Ayoub; Zouhal, Hassane; Alkhatib, Ahmad

Impact of using supplemented thylakoids derived from spinach for 12 weeks of high-intensity functional training on adipo-myokines in obese males

Abbassi-Daloii, Asieh and Hoteit, Maha and Sadek, Zahra and Khak-Rand, Mahboubeh and Ramezani, Akbar and Pashaei, Zhaleh and Afshar, Mahsa and Escobar, Kurt A. and Supriya, Rashmi and Saeidi, Ayoub and Zouhal, Hassane and Alkhatib, Ahmad (2025) Impact of using supplemented thylakoids derived from spinach for 12 weeks of high-intensity functional training on adipo-myokines in obese males. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12. ISSN 2296-861X

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Abstract

Objective

This randomized controlled study investigated the independent and combined effects of High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT) and spinach-derived thylakoid supplementation on adipo-myokines, glycemic control, and lipid profiles in obese males. To compare the effects of HIFT alone, thylakoid supplementation (Thyl) alone, and their combination (HIFT+Thyl) on circulating adipokines (CTRP-2, CTRP-9, GDF-8, GDF-15), insulin resistance, and lipid profiles in obese adult males.

Methods

A total of 68 participants who were obese with BMI: 32.6 ± 2.6 kg/m2 were randomly assigned to four groups ( n = 17 in each group): thylakoid supplementation (Thyl), HIFT + Placebo High-Intensity Functional Training (HIFT), HIFT + thylakoid supplementation (HIFT+Thyl), and control+Placebo group (C). The training groups (HIFT and HIFT+Thyl) completed a 12-week program of three 60-min sessions per week. Participants in the Thyl and HIFT+Thyl groups dissolved and consumed 5 g/day of spinach extract high in thylakoids (or placebo) for 12 weeks. Baseline and post-intervention measurements included circulating C1Q/TNF or TGF- β related proteins (CTRP-2, CTRP-9, GDF-8, GDF-15), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR, plasma glucose, and insulin), lipid profile (HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides [TG], total cholesterol [TC]), and body composition (BMI, fat mass [FM], and fat-free mass [FFM]). Randomization was performed using a block randomization method with allocation concealment.

Results

There were significant group × time interactions for all variables (all p < 0.001): CTRP-9 ( η 2 = 0.6), CTRP-2 ( η 2 = 0.7), GDF-8 ( η 2 = 0.8), GDF-15 ( η 2 = 0.4), BMI ( η 2 = 0.45), FM ( η 2 = 0.42), HDL-C ( η 2 = 0.37), LDL-C ( η 2 = 0.34), TC ( η 2 = 0.46), TG ( η 2 = 0.66), insulin ( η 2 = 0.78), glucose ( η 2 = 0.5), and HOMA-IR ( η 2 = 0.7). Compared with baseline, all interventions (HIFT, Thyl, and HIFT+Thyl) significantly decreased adipokine levels (CTRP-9, CTRP-2, GDF-8, GDF-15), BMI, fat mass, LDL-C, TC, TG, insulin, glucose, and HOMA-IR, while increasing HDL-C (all p < 0.05). Post-hoc between-group comparisons showed that HIFT+Thyl resulted in significantly greater improvements in all adipo-myokines, lipid profile, glycemic and insulin control, and body fat compared to Thyl alone (all p < 0.05). HIFT and HIFT+Thyl showed comparable reductions in BMI, fat mass, and improvements in lipid profile and insulin sensitivity.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that HIFT combined with spinach-derived thylakoid supplementation significantly decreases circulating adipo-myokines and improves insulin resistance and lipid profiles in obese adults, suggesting a promising lifestyle intervention for obesity management and cardiometabolic disease prevention. Further research is warranted to explore long-term effects and underlying mechanisms.

Clinical Trial Registration

https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/69048 , identifier (IRCT20151228025732N77).

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.3389/fnut.2025.1513681
Dates:	Date Event 31 July 2025 Accepted 1 October 2025 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	high-intensity functional training, spinach-derived thylakoid, adipokines, insulin resistance, obesity
Subjects:	CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-05 - medical sciences > CAH02-05-03 - biomedical sciences (non-specific)
Divisions:	Life and Health Sciences > Life and Sports Sciences
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	15 Oct 2025 10:43
Last Modified:	15 Oct 2025 10:43
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16677