Micro RNA Expression after Ingestion of Fucoidan; A Clinical Study

Abstract

Fucoidans are a class of fucose-rich sulfated polysaccharides derived from brown macroalgae that exert a range of biological activities in vitro and in vivo. To generate an unbiased assessment of pathways and processes affected by fucoidan, a placebo-controlled double-blind pilot study was performed in healthy volunteers. Blood samples were taken immediately before and 24 h after ingestion of a single dose of 1 g of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan (UPF) or placebo. Levels of isolated miRNAs were analyzed using Taqman Open Array Human MicroRNA panels. Out of 754 miRNAs screened, UPF affected a total of 53 miRNAs. Pathway analysis using the TALOS data analysis tool predicted 29 different pathways and processes that were largely grouped into cell surface receptor signaling, cancer-related pathways, the majority of which were previously associated with fucoidans. However, this analysis also identified nine pathways and processes that have not been associated with fucoidans before. Overall, this study illustrates that even a single dose of fucoidans has the potential to affect the expression of genes related to fundamental cellular processes. Moreover, it confirms previous data that fucoidans influence immunity, cancer cells, inflammation, and neurological function.

Viral inhibitors derived from macroalgae, microalgae, and cyanobacteria: A review of antiviral potential throughout pathogenesis

“…Natural products adapted for medicinal purposes can have powerful downstream health benefits in the human body. Gueven et al performed research using human subjects and showed that the oral administration of fucoidan from the brown (Phaeophyceae) macroalga Undaria pinnatifida affected the expression of 53 micro-RNAs in the hours and days following consumption [ 229 ]. These micro-RNAs have been implicated in diverse functions throughout the human body relating to immune function, cell growth and division, inflammation, and neurological control.…”

“…6 ). Furthermore, early research has shown that consumption of algae modifies the profile of host gene expression with some potential benefits to immune response [ 229 ]. In Section 2.4 , we provide an overview of some important immune-activating properties observed in algae-derived compounds ( Table 11 , Fig.…”

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“…Since VEGF-A is well known to promote tumor progression [27], even a small effect is not desirable as an anticancer effect. However, an influence of fucoidans on the gene expression level is shown for commercially available fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida (Marinova), which is able to change the gene expression of cancer-related and cell surface signaling-related pathways [28]. But this alga is from another brown algae order and was used in a clinical study with human blood serum, which could explain the differences.…”

Seaweed Components as Potential Modulators of the Gut Microbiota

“…Gueven et al [ 347 ] showed that a single dose of orally ingested fucoidan is sufficient to affect the expression of genes related to immunity, inflammation, cancer, and neurological function. A placebo-controlled double-blind study was performed in nine healthy, male volunteers (age 25–65 years-old).…”