The purpose of this pilot study is to assess the beneficial effect of a spirulina water extract (product named Spirulysat®) compared to a placebo in the blood level ratio of oxidized LDL / total LDL cholesterol in subjects with metabolic syndrome after 12 weeks of consumption

Inclusion Criteria:

To be eligible to the study, male and female volunteers will have to fulfil the following criteria (assessment based on the medical examination performed at V0 with a checking at V1):

• Age between 18 and 65 years (limits included),
• BMI between 25 and 35 kg/m² (limits included),
• With metabolic syndrome defined as central obesity : waist circumference > 94 cm for man and > 80 cm for woman associated to at least 2 observed criteria among : Fasting blood triglycerides > 1.5 g/L and/or Fasting blood HDL cholesterol < 0.4 g/L for man and < 0.5 g/L for woman and/or Fasting blood glucose level > 1 g/L and/or Arterial pressure > 130/85 mmHg or under antihypertensive treatment,
• For women : non menopausal with the same reliable contraception since at least 3 months before the beginning of the study and agreeing to keep it during the entire duration of the study (condom with spermicide gel accepted) or menopausal without or with hormone replacement therapy started at stable dose since at least 3 months before the beginning of the study and agreeing to keep it during the entire duration of the study,
• Weight stable with +/- 5 % in the last 3 months ,
• Non smoking or with tobacco consumption < 10 cigarettes / day,
• Good general and mental health with in the opinion of the investigator : no clinically significant and relevant abnormalities of medical history or physical examination,
• Able and willing to participate to the study by complying with the protocol procedures as evidenced by his dated and signed informed consent form,
• Affiliated with a social security scheme,
• Agree to be registered on the volunteers in biomedical research file,

After V0 biological analysis the subjects will be eligible to the study on the following criterion :

• Blood fasting lipid profile not requiring therapeutic intervention meaning professional recommendations (AFSSAPS, 2005).

A re-screening can occur from 2 months after the exit of the study for failure to comply with one or more of the inclusion criteria listed above.

Exclusion Criteria:

Volunteers with the following criteria will be considered as non eligible to the study (assessment based on the medical examination performed at V0 with a checking at V1):

• Suffering from a metabolic disorder such as diabetes, uncontrolled thyroidal trouble...,
• Suffering from a severe chronic disease (e.g. cancer, HIV, renal failure, hepatic or biliary disorders ongoing, chronic inflammatory digestive disease, arthritis or other chronic respiratory trouble, etc.) or gastrointestinal disorders found to be inconsistent with the conduct of the study by the investigator (e.g. celiac disease),
• With a history of ischemic cardiovascular event,
• Having undergone recent surgical procedure (less than 6 months),
• Suffering from an uncontrolled hypertension (systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mmHg),
• With a known or suspected food allergy or intolerance or hypersensitivity to any of the study products' ingredient,
• Pregnant or lactating women or intending to become pregnant within 4 months ahead,
• Under cholesterol and/or lipid-lowering treatment (e.g. statins, fibrates, ezetimibe, bile acid sequestrants, niacin, etc.) or stopped less than 3 months before the V0 visit,
• Under medication which could affect blood lipid parameters (e.g. long-term corticosteroid systemic drug, systemic antibodies, androgens or enzyme inducers, etc.) or stopped less than 3 months before the V0 visit (antihypertensive stable long-term treatment tolerated),
• Regular intake of dietary supplements or "functional foods" which are known to have an impact on lipid metabolism (e.g. rich in plant stanol or sterol like PRO-ACTIV or DANACOL products, red yeast rice, policosanol, capsules containing omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils, etc.) or stopped less than 3 months before the V0 visit,
• Under treatment or dietary supplement which could significantly affect parameter(s) followed during the study according to the investigator or stopped in a too short period before the V0 visit,
• With significant change in food habits or in physical activity in the 3 months before the V0 visit or not agreeing to keep them unchanged throughout the study,
• With a current or planned in the next 4 months specific diet (hyper or hypocaloric, vegan, vegetarian...) or stopped less than 3 months before the V0 visit,
• With a personal history of anorexia nervosa, bulimia or significant eating disorders according to the investigator,
• Consuming more than 3 standard drinks of alcoholic beverage daily for men or 2 daily for women or not agreeing to keep his alcohol consumption habits unchanged throughout the study,
• Having a lifestyle deemed incompatible with the study according to the investigator including high level physical activity (defined as more than 10 hours of significant physical activity a week, walking excluded),
• Who made a blood donation in the 3 months before the V0 visit or intending to make it within 4 months ahead,
• Taking part in another clinical trial or being in the exclusion period of a previous clinical trial,
• Having received, during the last 12 months, indemnities for clinical trial higher or equal to 4500 euros,
• Under legal protection (guardianship, wardship) or deprived from his rights following administrative or judicial decision,
• Presenting a psychological or linguistic incapability to sign the informed consent,
• Impossible to contact in case of emergency,

After V0 biological analysis the subjects will be considered as non eligible to the study on the following criteria :

• Fasting blood triglycerides > 3.5 g/L (3.95 mmol/L),
• Blood ASAT, ALAT or GGT (Gamma Glutamyl Transferase) > 3xULN (Upper Limit of Normal),
• Blood urea > 12.11 mmol/L (value corresponding to 1.5xULN) or creatinine > 125 µmol/L,
• Blood hsCRP > 10 mg/L,
• Complete blood count with clinically significant abnormality according to the investigator.

A re-screening can occur from 2 months after the exit of the study for failure to comply with one or more of the exclusion criteria listed above.