Bifunctional effects of fucoidan on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase

Journal Article · Fri Jul 21 04:00:00 EDT 2006 · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.05.135· OSTI ID:20854374

Yang, Jin Won ^[1]; Yoon, Se Young ^[1]; Oh, Soo Jin ^[2]; Kim, Sang Kyum ^[2]; Kang, Keon Wook ^[1]

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1. College of Pharmacy, Chosun University, Gwangju (Korea, Republic of)
2. College of Pharmacy and Research Center for Transgenic Cloned Pigs, Chungnam National University, Daejeon (Korea, Republic of)

Algal fucoidan is a marine sulfated polysaccharide with a wide variety of biological activities including anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects. This study evaluated the effect of fucoidan on the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in a macrophage cell line, RAW264.7. Low concentration range of fucoidan (10 {mu}g/ml) increased the basal expression level of iNOS in quiescent macrophages. However, we found for the first time that fucoidan inhibited the release of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Western blot analysis revealed that fucoidan suppressed the LPS-induced expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene. Moreover, the activation of both nuclear factor-{kappa}B (NF-{kappa}B) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) are key steps in the transcriptional activation of the iNOS gene. Here, it was revealed that fucoidan selectively suppressed AP-1 activation, and that the activation of AP-1 appears to be essential for the induction of iNOS in activated macrophages. This inhibitory effect on AP-1 activation by fucoidan might be associated with its NO blocking and anti-inflammatory effects.

• OSTI ID: 20854374
• Journal Information: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Journal Name: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 346; ISSN 0006-291X; ISSN BBRCA9
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
GENES
INFLAMMATION
MACROPHAGES
NITRIC OXIDE
POLYSACCHARIDES
PROTEINS