Absorption Study of Mozuku Fucoidan in Japanese Volunteers

Abstract

We performed an oral administration study of fucoidan in 396 Japanese volunteers and investigated significant factors concerning the absorption of fucoidan. Urine samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, and 9 h after ingestion of 3 g of fucoidan. Fucoidan was detected in urine after ingestion in 385 out of 396 subjects. The maximum value (mean ± standard deviation (SD)) of urinary fucoidan was 332.3 ± 357.6 μg/gCr in subjects living in Okinawa prefecture, compared with 240.1 ± 302.4 μg/gCr in subjects living outside Okinawa. Compared with the estimated urinary excretion of fucoidan by place of residence, those of subjects living in Okinawa prefecture were significantly higher than those living outside Okinawa prefecture (p < 0.01). In addition, subjects living in Okinawa prefecture consumed significantly greater amounts of mozuku compared with those living outside Okinawa prefecture (p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that having Okinawa prefecture as a place of residence was a significant factor (p < 0.01) contributing to the estimated urinary excretion of fucoidan. Because the habit of eating mozuku was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in subjects living in Okinawa prefecture than in those living outside Okinawa prefecture, the habit of eating mozuku was speculated to be a factor in the absorption of fucoidan.

Are Helicobacter pylori Infection and Fucoidan Consumption Associated with Fucoidan Absorption?

“…Because H. pylori can induce drastic alterations in the variety of the gastrointestinal microbiota [29][30][31], the microbe is speculated to increase basal fucoidan levels by modifying the gastrointestinal microbiota. Basal fucoidan levels were also significantly higher in H. pylori-negative subjects who regularly consumed mozuku than in their counterparts who rarely ate mozuku, which confirmed our previous findings [13]. We speculated that Japanese people may have acquired digestive enzymes from mozuku because the seaweed is extensively consumed within this area.…”

“…A disadvantage of this test is that proteinuria can cause false-positive results; therefore, urine protein levels should be measured in future research. We plan to study the relationship of H. pylori infection with fucoidan absorption using serum-based ELISA kits or the 13 C urea breath test ( 13 C-UBT) in future research.…”

“…Fucoidan is reported to be absorbed across the intestinal tract via energy-dependent processes and pinocytosis [10][11][12]. In Japanese volunteers, fucoidan was detected in the majority of urine following oral administration [13]. Because the rate of fucoidan absorption through the small intestine was highly variable among the participants, various factors were suggested to influence its absorption.…”

Clinical applications of fucoidan in translational medicine for adjuvant cancer therapy

“…Recently, an oral administration and absorption study of Mozuku fucoidan in 396 Japanese volunteers was performed. Using multiple regression analyses, the significant factors influencing the absorption of fucoidan in the tested urine samples were investigated [104]. The results showed that fucoidan absorption in humans is extremely low; the fucoidan concentration after oral administration was approximately ten times higher in urine than in serum, confirming the intestinal absorption of Mozuku fucoidan in humans.…”

Evaluation of the Immunomodulatory Effects of Fucoidan Derived from Cladosiphon Okamuranus Tokida in Mice

“…Previously, it has been reported that fucoidan is involved in immune activities, such as those of macrophages, NK cells, and cytokines [23,24]. Fucoidan derived from Okinawa mozuku has been confirmed to be absorbed by rodents and humans [25,26,27]. In this study, fucoidan was shown to be active in spleen immune cells, and macrophages in mice.…”