Fucoidan: Modulating Post-Myocardial Infarction Inflammation via the Gut-Heart Axis

Myocardial infarction (MI) remains a major cause of global morbidity and mortality, with post-MI inflammation significantly exacerbating tissue damage and adverse cardiac remodeling. Recent advancements have highlighted the gut microbiota as a crucial regulator of cardiovascular health via the gut-heart axis. This review introduces a novel therapeutic perspective by exploring the potential mechanisms through which fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide derived from marine algae, may alleviate post-MI inflammation. Fucoidan demonstrates unique anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has been shown to modulate the gut microbiota. Specifically, it enhances the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria, boosts short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) production, and reduces bacterial endotoxin translocation. Additionally, fucoidan directly inhibits inflammatory signaling pathways, decreases pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, and protects cardiomyocytes through antioxidant effects. These multifaceted actions position fucoidan as a promising novel therapeutic strategy for mitigating post-MI inflammation and promoting cardiac recovery. Future research should focus on optimizing fucoidan extraction methods, identifying effective dosing regimens, and developing targeted delivery systems to maximize clinical efficacy.