PMID: 

J Agric Food Chem. 2019 May 22 ;67(20):5782-5791. Epub 2019 May 13. PMID: 31055921

Abstract Title: 

Fucoidan A2 from the Brown Seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum Lowers Lipid by Improving Reverse Cholesterol Transport in C57BL/6J Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Abstract: 

Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is a physiological process, in which excess peripheral cholesterol is transported to the liver and further excreted into the bile and then feces. Recently, fucoidans are reported to have a lipid-lowering effect. This study was designed to investigate whether fucoidan from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum lowers lipid by modulating RCT in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. Our results indicated that fucoidan intervention significantly reduced plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol, and fat pad index and markedly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in a dose-dependent manner. In the liver, fucoidan significantly increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α, PPARγ, liver X receptor (LXR)β, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding cassette (ABC)A1, ABCG8, low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), scavenger receptor B type 1 (SR-B1), and cholesterol 7-α-hydroxylase A1 (CYP7A1) and decreased the triglyceride level and expression of proprotein convertasesubtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and PPARβ but had no effect on LXRα, ABCG1, and ABCG5. In the small intestine, the fucoidan treatment significantly reduced the expression of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) and improved ABCG5 and ABCG8. These results demonstrated that fucoidan can improve lipid transfer from plasma to the liver by activating SR-B1 and LDLR and inactivating PCSK9 and upregulate lipid metabolism by activating PPARα, LXRβ, ABC transporters, and CYP7A1. In the small intestine, this fucoidan can decrease cholesterol absorption and increase cholesterol excretion by activating NPC1L1 and ABCG5 and ABCG8, respectively. In conclusion, fucoidan from A. nodosum may lower lipids by modulating RCT-related protein expression and can be explored as a potential compound for prevention or treatment of hyperlipidemia-related diseases.

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PMID: 

Mar Drugs. 2019 Jul 19 ;17(7). Epub 2019 Jul 19. PMID: 31331053

Abstract Title: 

Selective Suppression of Cell Growth and Programmed Cell Death-Ligand 1 Expression in HT1080 Fibrosarcoma Cells by Low Molecular Weight Fucoidan Extract.

Abstract: 

Low molecular weight fucoidan extract (LMF), prepared by an abalone glycosidase digestion of a crude fucoidan extracted fromKylin, exhibits various biological activities, including anticancer effect. Various cancers express programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), which is known to play a significant role in evasion of the host immune surveillance system. PD-L1 is also expressed in many types of normal cells for self-protection. Previous research has revealed that selective inhibition of PD-L1 expressed in cancer cells is critical for successful cancer eradication. In the present study, we analyzed whether LMF could regulate PD-L1 expression in HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells. Our results demonstrated that LMF suppressed PD-L1/PD-L2 expression and the growth of HT1080 cancer cells and had no effect on the growth of normal TIG-1 cells. Thus, LMF differentially regulates PD-L1 expression in normal and cancer cells and could serve as an alternative complementary agent for treatment of cancers with high PD-L1 expression.

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PMID: 

Food Funct. 2019 Aug 1 ;10(8):5124-5139. Epub 2019 Jul 31. PMID: 31364648

Abstract Title: 

The fucoidan from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum ameliorates atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Abstract: 

Hyperlipidemia is a major cause of atherosclerosis. Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) is believed to attenuate hyperlipidemia and the progression of atherosclerosis. Although fucoidans are reported to have hypolipidemic effects, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Furthermore, few reports have revealed the anti-atherosclerotic effects and the underlying mechanisms of fucoidans. This study was designed to investigate the anti-atherosclerotic effect and mechanisms of the fucoidan from seaweed A. nodosum. Our results demonstrated that the fucoidan administration ameliorated atherosclerotic lesion and lipid profiles in a dose-dependent manner in the apolipoprotein E-deficient (apoE) mice fed a high-fat diet. In the apoEmice liver, the fucoidan treatment significantly increased the expression of scavenger receptor B type 1 (SR-B1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α and β, liver X receptor (LXR) α, ATP-binding cassette transporter (ABC) A1 and ABCG8; and markedly decreased the expression of PPARγ and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) 1c, but not low-density lipoprotein receptor, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase A1, LXRβ and ABCG1. In the small intestine of the apoEmice, the fucoidan treatment significantly reduced the expression of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) and dramatically improved ABCG8 levels. These results demonstrated for the first time that the fucoidan from A. nodosum attenuated atherosclerosis by regulating RCT-related genes and proteins expression in apoEmice. In summary, this fucoidan from A. nodosum may be explored as a potential compound for prevention or treatment of hyperlipidemia-induced atherosclerosis.

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PMID: 

Int Immunopharmacol. 2019 Aug 15 ;75:105823. Epub 2019 Aug 15. PMID: 31422184

Abstract Title: 

Fucoidan from seaweed Fucus vesiculosus inhibits 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis.

Abstract: 

Fucoidan, one activator of scavenger receptor class A (SR-A), plays important roles in a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor actions. However, the effects of fucoidan on atopic dermatitis (AD) have not been elucidated. To assess this, 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-treated BALB/c mice were painted with fucoidan. Results showed that fucoidan significantly ameliorated ear swelling, improved abdomen skin lesions, and decreased inflammatory cell infiltration. In addition, fucoidan significantly suppressed the serum levels of IgE and IL-4 in DNFB-induced AD mice. The infiltration of CD4T cells in skin lesions and spleen was also reduced in fucoidan-treated AD mice. Furthermore, treatment with fucoidan promoted Treg cells but attenuated Th1/17 response in the spleens from DNFB-induced AD mice. Together, these results suggest that fucoidan, a natural seaweed-rich polysaccharide, has a potential therapeutic efficacy in the treatment of AD, correlates with the induction of higher anti-inflammatory response through inducing Treg cells.

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PMID: 

Carbohydr Polym. 2019 Nov 1 ;223:115034. Epub 2019 Jun 28. PMID: 31426965

Abstract Title: 

Fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus inhibits new blood vessel formation and breast tumor growth in vivo.

Abstract: 

Fucoidan is a marine-origin sulfated polysaccharide that can show anticancer activity, to which both pro- and anti-angiogenic responses have been reported. Due to this unpredictability, the angiogenic potential of an effective anticancer crude fucoidan (CF), at a concentration of 0.5 mg mL, was evaluated. Tube formation assays demonstrated that CF, either administered while endothelial cells seeding or after their adhesion, migration and organization, inhibited or disrupted the formation of tubular-like structures, respectively. Although CF did not significantly reduced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion, it significantly reduced the expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), compromising the blood vessels maturation. Two chicken embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assays were performed: one without tumor (CAM I) and the other with an onplanted tumor mass (CAM II); the CF injection reduced the number of blood of vessels and significantly decreased the tumor size, respectively. In vitro and in vivo results support the effectiveness of fucoidan as a natural antitumor therapeutic agent.

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PMID: 

Mar Drugs. 2019 Aug 21 ;17(9). Epub 2019 Aug 21. PMID: 31438588

Abstract Title: 

Therapeutic Effects of Fucoidan: A Review on Recent Studies.

Abstract: 

Fucoidan is a polysaccharide largely made up of l-fucose and sulfate groups. Fucoidan is favorable worldwide, especially amongst the food and pharmaceutical industry as a consequence of its promising therapeutic effects. Its applaudable biological functions are ascribed to its unique biological structure. Classical bioactivities associated with fucoidan include anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-coagulant, anti-thrombotic, immunoregulatory, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory effects. More recently, a variety of in vitro and in vivo studies have been carried out to further highlight its therapeutic potentials. This review focuses on the progress towards understanding fucoidan and its biological activities, which may be beneficial as a future therapy. Hence, we have summarized in vitro and in vivo studies that were done within the current decade. We expect this review and a variety of others can contribute as a theoretical basis for understanding and inspire further product development of fucoidan.

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PMID: 

Biomark Med. 2015 ;9(10):957-65. Epub 2015 Oct 6. PMID: 26439018

Abstract Title: 

Mitochondrial enzyme dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders; a novel biomarker revealed from buccal swab analysis.

Abstract: 

AIM: Mitochondrial function studies in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have detected skeletal muscle mitochondrial enzyme deficiencies in respiratory complex (RC) activities. As a muscle biopsy is expensive and invasive, we assessed RC-I and RC-IV activities in buccal swabs.METHODS: 92 children with ASD and 68 controls were studied with immunocapture for RC-I and microspectrophotometry for RC-IV.RESULTS: Significant RC activity deficiencies were found in 39 (42%) ASD patients (p

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PMID: 

Antioxidants (Basel). 2019 Jul 24 ;8(8). Epub 2019 Jul 24. PMID: 31344844

Abstract Title: 

Fucoxanthin-An Antibacterial Carotenoid.

Abstract: 

Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid produced by brown algae and diatoms. This compound has several biological properties such as antioxidant, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. Unfortunately, until now the latter effect has been poorly confirmed. The aim of this study was an evaluation of fucoxanthin activity against 20 bacterial species. Antimicrobial effect of fucoxanthin was determined by using the agar disc-diffusion and micro-dilution methods. The studied carotenoid acted against 13 bacteria growing in aerobic conditions. It was observed to have a significantly stronger impact on Gram-positive than Gram-negative bacteria. Mean zones of growth inhibition (ZOIs) for Gram-positive bacteria ranged between 9.0 and 12.2 mm, while for Gram-negative were from 7.2 to 10.2 mm. According to the agar disc-diffusion method, the highest activity of fucoxanthin was exhibited against(mean ZOI 12.2 mm),(mean ZOI 11.2 mm), and(mean ZOI 11.0 mm), and in the microdilution test towardswith the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 62.5µg/mL. On the other hand, fucoxanthin was not active against strict anaerobic bacteria.

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PMID: 

Mar Drugs. 2019 Aug 1 ;17(8). Epub 2019 Aug 1. PMID: 31374828

Abstract Title: 

Fucoxanthin and Rosmarinic Acid Combination Has Anti-Inflammatory Effects through Regulation of NLRP3 Inflammasome in UVB-Exposed HaCaT Keratinocytes.

Abstract: 

Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the main risk factor to develop skin pathologies or cancer because it encourages oxidative condition and skin inflammation. In this sense, strategies for its prevention are currently being evaluated. Natural products such as carotenoids or polyphenols, which are abundant in the marine environment, have been used in the prevention of oxidative stress due to their demonstrated antioxidant activities. Nevertheless, the anti-inflammatory activity and its implication in photo-prevention have not been extensively studied. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the combination of fucoxanthin (FX) and rosmarinic acid (RA) on cell viability, apoptosis induction, inflammasome regulation, and anti-oxidative response activation in UVB-irradiated HaCaT keratinocytes. We demonstrated for the first time that the combination of FX and RA (5µM RA plus 5 μM FX, designated as M2) improved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory profiles in comparison to compounds assayed individually, by reducing UVB-induced apoptosis and the consequent ROS production. Furthermore, the M2 combination modulated the inflammatory response through down-regulation of inflammasome components such as NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1, and the interleukin (IL)-1β production. In addition, Nrf2 and HO-1 antioxidant genes expression increased in UVB-exposed HaCaT cells pre-treated with M2. These results suggest that this combination of natural products exerts photo-protective effects by down-regulating NRLP3-inflammasome and increasing Nrf2 signalling pathway.

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PMID: 

Epidemiol Serv Saude. 2016 Jan-Mar;25(1):45-54. PMID: 27861677

Abstract Title: 

Analysis of adverse events following immunization in Minas Gerais, Brazil, 2011: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: to analyze the main adverse events occurring following immunization in Minas Gerais State, Brazil, in 2011.METHODS: this is a cross-sectional study using secondary data from the Brazilian Information System on Adverse Events Following Immunization.RESULTS: 1,449 adverse events were found; more than half occurred in children under one year of age (56.1%; OR=1.39; 95%CI: 1.08;1.78); the highest rates per 100,000 doses administered were found in the Southern Triangle (36.3), Northwest (25.7) and Southern (22.7) areas of the state; tetravalent vaccine had the highest reactogenicity (46.1%) and hypotonic-hyporesponsive episode was the most frequent event (15.9%); events were significantly associated with inactivated vaccines (OR=4.08; 95%CI: 3.51;4.75); most of the reported events were closed as 'undefined' (58.9%).CONCLUSION: events were found in all regions of Minas Gerais state and were most frequent following administration of inactivated vaccines and among children under one year of age.

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