Background. Conventional anticancer therapies still cause difficulties with selective eradication and accompanying side effects that reduce patients’ quality of life (QOL). Fucoidan is extracted from seaweeds and has already exhibited broad bioactivities, including anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, in basic studies. It is expected to enhance therapeutic efficacy and minimize side effects in cancer patients; however, despite its potential benefits, there are very few clinical trials using fucoidans. Therefore, we performed an exploratory clinical study for advanced cancer patients to examine the efficacy of fucoidans, especially focusing on inflammation in relation to QOL scores. Methods. We conducted a prospective, open-label clinical study for advanced cancer patients using fucoidans via oral administration; 20 advanced cancer patients with metastases were recruited and were given 400 mL/d fucoidan (10 mg/mL) for at least 4 weeks. Inflammatory biomarkers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and various cytokines, and QOL scores were monitored before treatment, after 2 weeks, and after 4 weeks of fucoidan ingestion. Results. The main proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly reduced after 2 weeks of fucoidan ingestion. QOL scores, including fatigue, stayed almost stable without significant changes during the study period. The univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that the responsiveness of IL-1β was a significant independent prognostic factor. Conclusion. This is the first study providing evidence of the anti-inflammatory effects of fucoidans for advanced cancer patients. In future studies, larger blinded, controlled trials are required to establish the efficacy of fucoidan as supportive care for cancer patients, especially those undergoing chemotherapy.

There are various important factors in reducing the risk of cancer development and progression; these factors may correct an unbalanced intake of nutrients to maintain the living body’s homeostasis, detoxify toxic materials, acting as an external factor, and maintain and strengthen the body’s immune function. In a normal cell environment, nutrients, such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, are properly digested and absorbed into the body, and, as a result, an environment in which cancer can develop and progress is prevented. It is necessary to prevent toxic materials from entering the body and to detoxify poisons in the body. If these processes occur correctly, cells work normally, and genes cannot be damaged. The most important factor in the fight against cancer and prevention of the development and progression of cancer is the immune system. This requires a nutritional state in which the immune system works well, allowing the intestinal microbiome to carry out all of its roles. In order to grow intestinal microbiota, the consumption of prebiotics, such as organic vegetables, fruits, and dietary fiber, and probiotics of effective intestinal microbiota, such as fermented foods and supplements, is required. Symbiosis, in which these organisms work together, is an effective means of reducing the risk of cancer. In addition, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) using ultrafine bubble water, produced specially by the Association for Clinical Research of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Japan, is also useful for improving the nutritional condition and reducing the risk of cancer.

Background: Indications for various diseases such as diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, etc. of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) have been investigated. For the establishment of the FMT therapy, the examination of the solvent has not been carried out, though the use of the physiological saline is fixed, at present. We have produced the Mr. Shimizu made ultrafine bubble water (UFB) that produces a larger number of bubbles than existing UFB.Objective: To verify the usefulness of UFB, we prepared a conventional Saline and UFB-prepared microbial preparation (Bio3); (Bio3/Saline) and (Bio3/UFB). The bacterial preparations, Bio3, contain glycated bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and butyric acid bacteria. FMT was carried out to the diabetic model mouse using these microbial preparations, and whether the disease state was improved was examined. Cultured intestinal epithelial cells (CaCO-2) were also used to test for differentiation by UFB and Saline from variations in several receptors that recognize microbiota-mRNA. In addition, glucose uptake into cells was measured.Methods: FMT with (Bio3/UFB) and (Bio3/Saline) was performed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice (STZ-mice) in duplicate at 0, 7 days. Blood glucose levels (7, 14 days) and blood insulin levels (14 days) were measured. Cultured intestinal epithelial cells were also used to test for differentiation by UFB and Saline from change in several receptors that recognize microbiota-mRNA (Toll-like receptors, NOD-like receptors, and RIG-I-like receptors). In addition, glucose uptake into cells was measured using fluorescently labeled glucose analog (NBDG).Results: UFB could reduce the blood glucose level of STZ-induced diabetic model mice. However, no such effects were observed in Saline. Stimulation of serially diluted Bio3 with UFB-suspension were showed significant alteration in TLR4 and IL-1B-uPNA. The amount of glucose uptake in the (Bio3/UFB) group was significantly different at 30 min, inhibited or delayed. Conclusion: It is concluded that UFB-mediated cross-talk between intestinal bacteria and intestinal epithelial cells and inhibition or delay of intestinal epithelial glucose uptake may have been associated with the reduction of blood glucose levels in diabetic model mice. The superiority of UFB as a suspension used for the transfer of bacteria has been suggested.

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