(3) Helicobacter pylori Infection Suppression
Following administration of an H. pylori suspension to infection model rats, the
animals were orally administered a Kagome seaweed-derived U-fucoidan fraction
every eight hours (10 mg per mouse). After one day, the infection rate was suppressed by around 30% compared to the control group for the same bacteria. After
the second day, the fucoidan-administrated group showed an H. pylori infection rate
of zero. In contrast, a simultaneous experiment using the same amount of Fucus
vesiculosus-derived fucoidans showed the same infection rate for the control and
experimental groups after one and two days.
(4) Thrombosis Formation Suppression with Fucoidan Oligosaccharides
Kagome seaweed-derived fucoidan oligosaccharides obtained through enzymatic
degradation were administered to rats for one month as a 0–0.25% solution, after
which a mixture of formalin and methanol was dripped on the outer wall of the
jugular vein to induce thrombosis formation. Whereas the thrombosis formation for
rats given only water was 100%, those given water containing 0.05–0.25%
oligosaccharides showed a 30–80% reduction in their thrombosis formation rate.
In terms of the condition of thromboses formed, roughly 80% of the group not
administered oligosaccharides showed firm thromboses; for the group receiving
oligosaccharides, the rate was 0–50%. Thrombosis formation in the aforementioned
model mice was similarly suppressed through oral administration of depolymerized
heparin, but only for fucoidans with the same negative charge as heparin. For
instance, the respective numbers of sulfation residues per ten sugars for fucoidans
derived from Kagome seaweed, Fucus vesiculosus, and Okinawa mozuku were 17,
15, and 4, with differences in the main chain and chain structure. It is difficult to
image that these fucoidans would have the same level of thrombosis suppression
effects.
(5) Promoting Hepatocyte Growth Factor Production
Oral administration of one gram of Kagome seaweed-derived F-fucoidans treated
with F-fucoidan lyase per kilogram a day to rats with their livers partially removed
resulted in a roughly threefold increase in hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plasma
concentration after 24 h compared to a group that was not administered fucoidans.
HGF is known to have anti-cancer effects, and a connection may exist between this
and the suppression of cancer through oral administration of fucoidans.
HGF also has hair growth-stimulating properties, and there has been proof of the
hair growth properties of kelp as transmitted by folk practice.
192
6 Seaweed Biotechnology
Following administration of an H. pylori suspension to infection model rats, the
animals were orally administered a Kagome seaweed-derived U-fucoidan fraction
every eight hours (10 mg per mouse). After one day, the infection rate was suppressed by around 30% compared to the control group for the same bacteria. After
the second day, the fucoidan-administrated group showed an H. pylori infection rate
of zero. In contrast, a simultaneous experiment using the same amount of Fucus
vesiculosus-derived fucoidans showed the same infection rate for the control and
experimental groups after one and two days.
(4) Thrombosis Formation Suppression with Fucoidan Oligosaccharides
Kagome seaweed-derived fucoidan oligosaccharides obtained through enzymatic
degradation were administered to rats for one month as a 0–0.25% solution, after
which a mixture of formalin and methanol was dripped on the outer wall of the
jugular vein to induce thrombosis formation. Whereas the thrombosis formation for
rats given only water was 100%, those given water containing 0.05–0.25%
oligosaccharides showed a 30–80% reduction in their thrombosis formation rate.
In terms of the condition of thromboses formed, roughly 80% of the group not
administered oligosaccharides showed firm thromboses; for the group receiving
oligosaccharides, the rate was 0–50%. Thrombosis formation in the aforementioned
model mice was similarly suppressed through oral administration of depolymerized
heparin, but only for fucoidans with the same negative charge as heparin. For
instance, the respective numbers of sulfation residues per ten sugars for fucoidans
derived from Kagome seaweed, Fucus vesiculosus, and Okinawa mozuku were 17,
15, and 4, with differences in the main chain and chain structure. It is difficult to
image that these fucoidans would have the same level of thrombosis suppression
effects.
(5) Promoting Hepatocyte Growth Factor Production
Oral administration of one gram of Kagome seaweed-derived F-fucoidans treated
with F-fucoidan lyase per kilogram a day to rats with their livers partially removed
resulted in a roughly threefold increase in hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plasma
concentration after 24 h compared to a group that was not administered fucoidans.
HGF is known to have anti-cancer effects, and a connection may exist between this
and the suppression of cancer through oral administration of fucoidans.
HGF also has hair growth-stimulating properties, and there has been proof of the
hair growth properties of kelp as transmitted by folk practice.
192
6 Seaweed Biotechnology