Is the transformation of fucoidans in human body possible?

Fucoidans are a group of homo-and hetero-polysaccharides, which necessarily contains residues of sulfated α-L-fucose. Fucoidans are found only in brown algae. These polysaccharides exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activity and have a great therapeutic potential. Enzymes capable of catalyzing the degradation of fucoidans are absent in the mammalian enzyme system. The question arises: is the transformation of fucoidan in mammals, particularly in human possible? Studies in vivo (in situ) and in vitro have demonstrated that high molecular weight fucoidans are absorbed across rat intestinal epithelial cells, accumulated by liver macrophages, and characterized by low levels in blood and urine. Using the example of the Okinawa Prefecture (Japan) residents, it was shown that Cladosiphon okamuranus alga is digested and the fucoidan contained in this alga is absorbed in the human body.

Antithrombotic activity of oral administered low molecular weight fucoidan from Laminaria Japonica.

INTRODUCTION: Fucoidans extracted from brown algae have been documented to have excellent antithrombotic activity when administered by either intravenous or subcutaneous route in animal models. However, it is unknown if the fucoidans also have antithrombotic activity when administered orally, a highly desirable feature of oral antithrombotic agents. In the present study, we compared the oral absorption, bioavailability and antithrombotic activity of two fucoidan fractions from Laminaria japonica with different molecular weight by oral administration in an electricity induced arterial thrombosis model and the underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: After a single dose of oral administration, the fucoidan content in plasma and urine in rats was assessed using the reverse-phased HPLC analysis of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP)-labeled fucose. The fucose content in the low molecular weight (LMW) fucoidan-treated rats increased up to 2-fold and peaked at 15h, indicating that the LMW fucoidan had much better absorption and bioavailability than the MMW fucoidan in vivo. Oral administration of the LMW fucoidan at 400 and 800mg/kg for 30days inhibited the arterial thrombosis formation effectively induced by electrical shock in rats, accompanied by moderate anticoagulation activity, regulation on TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α, significant antiplatelet activity and effective fibrinolysis. The LMW fucoidan showed better oral absorption and antithrombotic activity in addition to different antithrombotic mechanisms compared to those of the medium molecular weight (MMW) fucoidan. Thus, the LMW fucoidan has a potential to become an oral antithrombotic agent.