Immunological effects of Chondrus armatus carrageenans and their low molecular weight degradation products

Abstract

Ability of high molecular weight (HMW) κ‐ and λ‐carrageenans of the red marine algae Chondrus armatus and their low molecular weight degradation products (LMWDPs) (0.7–20 and 10–170 kDa respectively) to influence functional properties (motility and phagocytosis) of murine peritoneal macrophages was assessed in this study as an in vitro and a weeklong feeding experiment. We demonstrated that, with an exception of one, all carrageenan samples at 100 μg/ml increased cellular motility and dose‐dependently decreased phagocytic activity; LMWDPs of λ‐carrageenan suppressed motility and had no effect on phagocytosis. Oral administration of all the carrageenan samples at 100 μg/kg/day for 7 days to mice had no effect on their clinical appearance, body weight, weight of their liver, spleen or thymus or development of noticeable changes to their inner organs. All samples induced a shift of the cell composition of the peritoneal cavity towards macrophages. Consumption of LMWDPs of κ‐carrageenan resulted in development of leukopenia, however, no changes to relative WBC count were introduced by either of the samples. All samples decreased murine peritoneal macrophages phagocytic activity, with λ‐samples possessing higher efficacy than their κ‐counterparts; all LMWDPs stimulated peritoneal macrophages motility, with κ‐samples possessing higher efficacy than their λ‐counterparts In conclusion, we have shown that κ‐ and λ‐carrageenans of the C. armatus and their LMWDPs suppress phagocytotic activity of peritoneal macrophages under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. This allows them to be viewed as pharmacologically active substances andpropagates the need for their further investigation as such.

Influence of consumption of the food additive carrageenan on the gut microbiota and the intestinal homeostasis of mice

“…These results agree with some previous studies in which immune suppressant effects of CGN in vivo have been observed. 21 Considering that degraded CGN is used as an experimental inflammation model, similar to the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis model, 45 the potential hydrolysis of CGN by the gut microbiota could have favored the damage caused by low- M w CGN products to the intestinal barrier permeability. 35 The sulfate groups from the polygalactan could facilitate disturbing the intestinal mucus layer by making it more permeable to gut microbiota that reach the epithelial cells and trigger an inflammatory reaction.…”

“…[16][17][18] There are scarce studies on the effects of CGN on the function and oxidative stress of leukocytes, and these have shown contradictory results. [19][20][21] Moreover, the effects of CGN ingestion on several relevant immune functions and redox parameters of peritoneal leukocytes from mice are unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to test the in vivo effects of feeding CGN, at exposure values assessed for children, 4 on the gut microbiota and the intestinal homeostasis of young male and female mice.…”

An Update on the Chemical Constituents and Biological Properties of Selected Species of an Underpinned Genus of Red Algae: Chondrus

“…The application of λand κ-carrageenan derived from C. armatus has been found to enhance the motility of macrophages while simultaneously reducing their phagocytic activity (Table 1). This characteristic renders these carrageenan compounds suitable for application as immuno-modulatory materials [108].…”

Anticoagulant activity of chondrus armatus algae carragenanes and their depolymerization products

“…Выделение каррагинанов проводили методом горячей водной экстракции с последующим высаждением 95 % спиртом этиловым. Фракционирование полученного полисахарида осуществляли с помощью 4 % раствора KCl, по описанной ранее методике [8]. Уменьшение молекулярно-массового распределения отдельных фракций проводили методами ультразвуковой (УЗ) деполимеризации (λ-и κ-каррагинан), кислотного гидролиза (κ-каррагинан) и автогидролиза (λ-каррагинан).…”