The liver is a vital organ that regulates biological functions to maintain the body’s homeostasis. The liver has three primary functions. The first is the synthesis and storage of nutrients necessary for our body. The second is the detoxification and decomposition of harmful substances. Finally, the third is the synthesis and secretion of bile essential for the digestion of food. If liver function is impaired and suffers a chronic condition, it triggers liver dysfunction, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
However, studies are being done on natural supplements such as Fucoidan to help in such conditions. Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweed. It was previously found as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Also, the protective effect of Fucoidan against liver damage was also observed. However, the detailed mechanism has not yet been explained. So, in this blog, I would like to brief Fucoidan’s protective effect mechanism in the study, “The Ameliorative Effects of Fucoidan in Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Injury in Mice” by Ming-Yang Tsai et al.
Furthermore, Thioacetamide (TAA) is an essential organic sulfur compound with a wide range of industrial applications. It is used as a stabilizer for motor fuels, vulcanization of beech rubber, and a promoter of the leather, textile and paper industries. According to the study, “Picroliv Protects Against Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatotoxicity” by K. Hegde et al., it is a carcinogenic substance that induces hepatocellular carcinoma in male and female mice, including hepatocellular carcinoma in male rats, and bile duct cell tumor in male and female rats.
First, to investigate the mechanism of the TAA-induced liver protective effect of Fucoidan, we created liver-damaged mice using a highly toxic organic compound called TAA and experimented. This mouse liver disorder model is a pathological model commonly used in many studies because its symptoms are similar to those of chronic liver disease in humans.
For model mice, a standard diet group (Normal group), a TAA administration group (TAA group), and a TAA administration + fucoidan intake group (Fucoidan group) were created, and ALT and AST in serum were measured after test breeding. ALT and AST are enzymes produced in the bile duct, and liver damage is suspected when the levels are high. As a result of the test, the ALT and AST values were more elevated in the TAA group than in the Normal group.
Contrary to the previous results, the values were significantly lower in the fucoidan group that took Fucoidan simultaneously. (See Fig. 1) Next, the mouse’s liver was stained and observed to examine the pathological histological findings. As a result, compared to the normal liver tissue of the Control group fed with typical food, the liver of the TAA group showed abnormalities such as widespread damage, necrosis, and disruption of each cell.
On the other hand, in the fucoidan group who were taking Fucoidan, Pathological changes such as damage were suppressed. (See Fig. 2) When the mechanism of Fucoidan’s hepatoprotective effect was investigated, along with the inhibition of inflammatory reaction by suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα by Fucoidan. They also obtained the result of promoting antioxidants through activation of antioxidant enzyme SOD and inhibition of production of active oxygen that causes oxidation. The research results confirmed that Fucoidan has a protective effect on TAA-induced liver injury in mice. It was found that it is performed by inhibiting the inflammatory reaction and promoting antioxidants. It is also expected that Fucoidan will be used for the hepatoprotective effect as the mechanism research progresses in the future.
