Abstract
Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from various types of brown seaweed, possesses a wide range of pharmacological properties. We investigated the protective effect of fucoidan on dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrogenesis in rats and its mechanism. Liver fibrosis was induced by injecting DMN (10 mg/kg, 3 times per week, I.P.) for 4 weeks, and fucoidan was simultaneously administered (100 mg/kg, 3 times per week, P.O.). The anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of fucoidan were observed by relative mediators. Fucoidan improved liver fibrosis by inhibiting the expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β(1))/Smad3 and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), and increasing the expression of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Fucoidan also significantly decreased the accumulation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and collagen. These results suggest that fucoidan had an anti-fibrotic effect, which was exerted by inhibiting the TGF-β/Smad pathway, as well as anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antioxidants / metabolism
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Body Weight / drug effects
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Extracellular Matrix / drug effects
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Extracellular Matrix / metabolism
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Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
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Glutathione Peroxidase / blood
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Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
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Inflammation Mediators / metabolism
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Liver Cirrhosis / blood
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Liver Cirrhosis / drug therapy*
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Liver Cirrhosis / metabolism
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Liver Cirrhosis / pathology*
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Male
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Malondialdehyde / blood
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Malondialdehyde / metabolism
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Organ Size / drug effects
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Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
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Polysaccharides / pharmacology*
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Polysaccharides / therapeutic use
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RNA, Messenger / genetics
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Signal Transduction / drug effects*
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Smad Proteins / metabolism*
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Superoxide Dismutase / blood
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Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
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Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism*
Substances
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Antioxidants
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Inflammation Mediators
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Polysaccharides
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RNA, Messenger
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Smad Proteins
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Transforming Growth Factor beta
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Malondialdehyde
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fucoidan
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Glutathione Peroxidase
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Superoxide Dismutase