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Published on: May 4, 2012
A quantitative method to detect fucoidan in human plasma using a novel antibody
M R Irhimeh1, J H Fitton, R M Lowenthal
1Haematology/Oncology Unit, Royal Hobart Hospital, and Discipline of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. mirhimeh@utas.edu.au
Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology
|January 6, 2006
Summary
Oral intake of Undaria-derived fucoidan galactofucan sulfate (GFS) leads to detectable plasma levels. A novel antibody-based assay confirmed GFS presence in human volunteers after fucoidan consumption.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biotechnology
- Pharmacokinetics
- Immunochemistry
Background:
- Fucoidans, high-molecular-weight sulfated polysaccharides from brown algae like Undaria pinnatifida, are known for potential biological effects.
- Despite their size, oral intake of fucoidans has been suggested to yield biological effects, but direct evidence of plasma uptake has been limited.
- Assessing the bioavailability of complex polysaccharides like fucoidan after oral administration is crucial for understanding their therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an antibody-based method for quantifying galactofucan sulfate (GFS) in human plasma.
- To assess the plasma uptake of Undaria-derived GFS following oral ingestion in healthy volunteers.
- To investigate the relationship between fucoidan purity and its detectability in plasma.
Main Methods:
- Development of a novel antibody specific to sulfated polysaccharides.
- Competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to quantify GFS in plasma samples.
- Human volunteers ingested either whole Undaria (10% GFS), purified GFS (75%), or a placebo polysaccharide daily for 12 days.
Main Results:
- Increased antibody reactivity, indicating GFS presence, was observed in plasma samples from volunteers who ingested fucoidan, compared to pre-ingestion levels.
- Median plasma concentrations of intact GFS were detected at 4.002 mg/l and 12.989 mg/l for the 10% and 75% pure fucoidan groups, respectively.
- The developed ELISA assay successfully detected high-molecular-weight fucoidan in plasma, demonstrating its utility for pharmacokinetic studies.
Conclusions:
- Oral administration of Undaria-derived fucoidan galactofucan sulfate results in detectable levels in human plasma.
- A novel antibody-based competitive ELISA is effective for quantifying GFS in plasma, supporting its use in bioavailability studies.
- This study provides evidence for the absorption of high-molecular-weight fucoidan following oral intake in humans.
