BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity in the elderly has increased dramatically in recent years. Therapeutic strategies that can help maintain energy homeostasis in old age are of great importance. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of aerobic training and spirulina on ghrelin and obestatin in overweight elderly men. METHODS: In this experimental study, 36 obese adult men from Anzali were selected and randomly divided into four groups: control, spirulina, exercise and exercise-spirulina. The supplement groups received 2 tablets (500 mg) daily in the morning and evening during the intervention period. Exercise groups performed 3 sessions of aerobic exercise on a treadmill each week with an intensity 70 to 85% of maximum heart rate for eight weeks. Serum ghrelin and obestatin levels were measured by ELISA kit. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post hoc test. FINDINGS: The results showed that exercise, spirulina and exercise- spirulina caused a significant increase in ghrelin and obestatin compared to the pretest and control group. The ghrelin level of the exercise- spirulina group was significantly higher than the spirulina group. Also, the level of obestatin in the exercise- spirulina group was significantly higher than the exercise and spirulina groups. CONCLUSIONS: It seems that aerobic exercise in combination with spirulina can help regulate hormones responsible for appetite in overweight elderly people.

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