There are three types of blood cells. They are red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. And each one of them has specific roles such as carrying oxygen to each organ in the body, protecting the body from pathogens like bacteria, and stopping the bleeding in case of cuts and injuries. These three types of blood cells are called “hematopoietic stem cells” Hematopoietic stem cells are usually found in sponge-like tissues called the bone marrow.

As hematopoietic stem cells repeatedly divide, and some grow into red cells, some grow into white blood cells, and some grow into platelets. The process of growing into distinctive cells with this cell division is called “differentiation.” Additionally, hematopoietic stem cells can also replicate the same hematopoietic stem cells through cell division. This function is called “self-renewal.” By this ability, hematopoietic stem cells are constantly regenerated in the bone marrow and never become depleted throughout life.

However, hematopoietic stem cells may decrease their functions by chemotherapy and radiation therapy due to the reduction of white blood cells and platelets, which called “myelosuppression.” Decreases in three blood components will lead to infection, anemia, and bleeding. Once occurring the reduction of white blood cells, you will decrease immunity. Decreased immunity can easily cause the risk of getting the infection, such as stomatitis, fever, and tremor. 

According to A. Sweeney et al., the sulfated polysaccharide fucoidan increases circulating mature white blood cells and hematopoietic stem cells in mice. They examined the mechanism of raised circulating white blood cells and hematopoietic stem cells by using mice and monkeys. As per the reports, the plasma level of very potent chemoattractant stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SGF-1) increases rapidly and dramatically with decreased bone marrow level by treating fucoidan. Overexpression of SDF1 by fucoidan recruits hematopoietic and progenitor cells capable of repopulation, resulting in increased circulating mature leukocytes and hematopoietic stem cells.