The Effects of Fermented Laminaria japonica on Short‐Term Working Memory and Physical Fitness in the Elderly

Abstract

Considering the neuroprotective and antioxidant potential of fermented Laminaria japonica A. (FST), the purpose of the present study is to establish whether FST may be considered a viable, efficacious supplement that can be administered in later life to offset neurodegenerative conditions associated with aging. Forty senior subjects participated in a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Two groups were formed, one FST group (n = 32, 72.35 ± 5.54 yrs) and one placebo (CON) (n = 28, 74.57 ± 5.69 yrs), which received 1.5 g/day of FST for 6 weeks. Subjects were asked to abstain from any regular exercise. In order to analyze short-term memory, a variety of neuropsychological tests were implemented. Body composition, physical fitness evaluations, antioxidant function, and inflammatory markers were also included in the analyses pre- and posttest. We demonstrated that FST significantly improved neuropsychological test scores, including higher scores in the K-MMSE, numerical memory test, Raven test, and iconic memory, compared to the CON group. Shorter test trial times in the 6-minute walk test were observed in the FST group (p<0.001 and p<0.05, trials 1 and 2, respectively). FST also significantly increased antioxidant activity of GPx, GSR, and SOD, reduced the production of TBARS, and lowered 8-oxoDG levels. The present study highlights the potential widespread application of FST in protecting against the degenerative effects of aging on short-term memory and physical function. Neuropsychological evaluation indicates that FST may provide a protective mechanism against cognitive impairment associated with dementia. Neuromuscular integrity and physical function are typically compromised in aging and dementia patients; thus, whether by stimulation of muscle-related growth factors or an increase in serum BDNF, FST supplementation may act to preserve physical function in the elderly. The bioactive constituents of FST such as GABA and fucoidan acting to provide improvements in antioxidant activity following FST supplementation may protect against progressive degeneration purportedly caused by reactive oxygen species.

An Updated Review on Pharmaceutical Properties of Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

“…The administration of Gaba-enriched product fermented by kimchi-derived lactic acid bacteria also improved long-term memory loss recovery in the cognitive function-decreased mice and increased the proliferation of neuroendocrine PC-12 cells in vitro [24]. Moreover, the Gaba-enriched fermented Laminaria japonica (GFL) provided a protective effect against cognitive impairment associated with dementia in the elderly [25]. In addition, Reid and colleagues have shown that GFL could improve cognitive impairment and neuroplasticity in scopolamine- and ethanol-induced dementia model mice [26].…”

Fermented Sea Tangle (Laminaria japonica Aresch) Suppresses RANKL-Induced Osteoclastogenesis by Scavenging ROS in RAW 264.7 Cells

“…It has been reported that FST supplementation reduce obesity and improve stress management [29]. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that FST can protect against age-associated short-term memory loss and reduced physical functioning [30,31,32]. However, the effect of FST on bone has not previously been investigated and therefore we decided to investigate whether FST had any inhibitory effect on RANKL-stimulated osteoclast differentiation using RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells.…”

Micro RNA Expression after Ingestion of Fucoidan; A Clinical Study

“…Nevertheless, in most reports, no direct interaction but rather an indirect modulation of signaling was reported. For example, fermented Laminaria japonica, which contains fucoidan, increased serum BDNF levels in elderly subjects over a six week period [10]. Whether this effect translated to increased BDNF-signaling in those individuals was not reported.…”