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New fucoidan study: Gut health benefits

A new study suggests supplementation with the marine polysaccharide fucoidan may provide significant gut health benefits.

New research has deepened scientific understanding of fucoidan derived from the seaweed Undaria pinnatifida, providing further insight into the significant benefits it may provide to gut health.  

The study utilised the Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®), a validated in vitro gut model exclusive to ProDigest, to explore the effects of high purity Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan on colonic microbiome.

Faecal samples from healthy human donors were treated daily for three weeks with high purity Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan produced by Marinova. Colonic microbiome activity and composition were both assessed, along with quantification of short chain fatty acids. The study also utilised ProDigest's Caco-2/THP-1 co-culture model to assess secretions of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

The study found Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan supplementation enriched colonic microbial diversity. Species richness and species evenness were positively enhanced in both the proximal and distal colon. Fucoidan supplementation significantly increased levels of the short chain fatty acid butyrate, known to assist in the maintenance of the gut barrier, stimulate gut motility and modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. Colonic fermentation induced the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines in both the proximal and distal colon.
 

Lead author of the paper and Research Scientist at Marinova, Dr Barbara Wimmer, said, “These findings suggest supplementation with Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan may provide significant gut health benefits. The study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the ability of fucoidans to modulate and improve host microbiome.”

Speaking of the SHIME® model utilised in the study, co-author and CEO of ProDigest, Dr Massimo Marzorati, said, “Its robust configuration and ability to simulate both the proximal and distal colon provides detailed gut simulation, in addition to examining the effects of repeat dosing.”

The full paper, ‘Fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida enhances Gut Microbiome Modulation, Butyrate Production and exerts Anti-Inflammatory Effects in an In Vitro Short-term SHIME® Coupled to a Caco-2/THP-1 Co-Culture Model’, was published in the journal Marine Drugs.

Further details are available by contacting Marinova.

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