Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus on glycemic status and on endothelial damage markers in dysglicemic patients

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate a nutraceutical combination containing polyphenols extracted from Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus and chromium picolinate on glyemic status; secondary outcomes were considered the changes on endothelial markers. We randomized 65 dysglycemic patients to placebo or the nutraceutical agent for 6 months. We evaluated fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), HbA1c, fasting plasma insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index, high sensitivity C‐reactive protein (Hs‐CRP), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), and adhesion molecules. At baseline and at 3 and 6 months, all patients underwent an oral glucose tolerance test. We recorded a reduction of HbA1c, FPG, PPG, and HOMA‐IR compared with placebo (p < 0.05). After 6 months, 18.2% of patients retuned to a normal glycemic status in the nutraceutical group versus 0 patients in placebo group (p < 0.05); 69.7% were classified as impaired fasting glycemia and 12.1% as impaired glucose tolerance in the nutraceutical group versus 17.2% and 82.8 in placebo group (p < 0.01) for both. A reduction of Hs‐CRP and TNF‐α was recorded with the nutraceutical. The administration of a nutraceutical combination containing A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus can be helpful in improving insulin sensitivity and glycemic status. Larger randomized studies are required to confirm the positive effects of these agents.

Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum Ameliorate Liver Function by Reducing Diet-Induced Steatosis in Rats

“…In this study, we investigated the effects of the five-week administration of the phytocomplex obtained from two brown algae, A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus, on glycemic control and liver function of HFD-treated Wistar rats. Several studies have confirmed the multiple beneficial effects of seaweed products, since their bioactive components have antidiabetic, antiobesity, and antioxidant properties [4,13,[16][17][18][19][20]. A recent study reported that ascophyllan from A. nodosum is able to induce glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion from human intestinal cells, suggesting that it may represent a useful agent for controlling blood glucose in humans [21,22].…”

“…Accordingly, synthetic α-glucosidase inhibitors, such as acarbose, are currently used in the treatment of T2D. Some studies have already demonstrated that specific components of F. vesiculosus and A. nodosum (phlorotannins and fucoidans) inhibit both α-amylase and α-glucosidase, thereby delaying/decreasing sugar absorption [5,[13][14][15]21].…”

“…In particular, nutrition plays a pivotal role in the treatment of these metabolic alterations, considering that it is well-known that an appropriate intake of energy can improve all these conditions. It has been demonstrated that Fucus vesiculosus and Ascophyllum nodosum are rich in natural compounds able to slow down cholesterol absorption by increasing intestinal viscosity and delaying and decreasing sugar absorption through the inhibition of both α-amylase and α-glucosidase [5,[13][14][15]. In particular, it has already been reported that this inhibitory effect is due to the high content of different bioactive compounds in the algal extract, and the fingerprint analysis we performed in our previous study indicated the presence of three main types of constituents, i.e., polysaccharides, polyphenolics, and fatty acids [5].…”

Brown Seaweeds for the Management of Metabolic Syndrome and Associated Diseases

“…Another study enrolling overweight and obese patients demonstrated that a 6-month supplementation with the same commercial extract of F. vesiculosus and A. nodosum with the addition of chromium picolinate significantly reduces the waist circumference, plasma levels of glucose, and insulin and HOMA index, suggesting an improvement in the insulin sensitivity status [ 172 ]. In addition, a reduction in HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose and insulin, postprandial plasma glucose, and HOMA-IR was observed after the administration of the same nutraceutical combination for 6 months to 65 dysglycemic patients [ 171 ]. Moreover, nearly 20% of the treated patients retuned to a normal glycemic status, and none of the placebo-treated patients.…”

Marine Biotechnology in Québec: Science and Innovation Highlights

“…Scientific studies and clinical trials have shown that this compound can inhibit digestive enzymes and carbohydrate absorption in vivo 14 and has a beneficial impact on blood glucose and insulin levels following a starch-rich meal. 15,16 OMEGA-3 MONOGLYCERIDES SCF Pharma was founded in 2009 by Samuel Fortin Ph.D. to further develop omega-3 monoglycerides discovered using marine biomass bio-guided extraction and fractionation platform of the Marine Biotechnology Research Centre's (MBRC's). Omega-3 monoglycerides are a new form of omega-3 fatty acid with superior omega-3 uptake and formulation properties.…”