2. Academic Validation
  3. Fucoidan improving spinal cord injury recovery: Modulating microenvironment and promoting remyelination

Fucoidan improving spinal cord injury recovery: Modulating microenvironment and promoting remyelination

  • CNS Neurosci Ther. 2024 Aug;30(8):e14903. doi: 10.1111/cns.14903.
Haoming Shu 1,  Xin Zhang 2,  Yingyan Pu 2,  Yinuo Zhang 1,  Shixue Huang 1,  Jun Ma 3,  Li Cao 2,  Xuhui Zhou 1
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
  • 2 Department of Neurobiology, Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology of the Ministry of Education, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China.
  • 3 Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
PMID: 39139089 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14903
Abstract

Introduction: Excessive neuroinflammation, Apoptosis, glial scar, and demyelination triggered by spinal cord injury (SCI) are major obstacles to SCI repair. Fucoidan, a natural marine plant extract, possesses broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects and is regarded as a potential therapeutic for various diseases, including neurological disorders. However, its role in SCI has not been investigated.

Methods: In this study, we established an SCI model in mice and intervened in injury repair by daily intraperitoneal injections of different doses of fucoidan (10 and 20 mg/kg). Concurrently, primary oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) were treated in vitro to validate the differentiation-promoting effect of fucoidan on OPCs. Basso Mouse Scale (BMS), Louisville Swim Scale (LSS), and Rotarod test were carried out to measure the functional recovery. Immunofluorescence staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed to assess the neuroinflammation, Apoptosis, glial scar, and remyelination. Western blot analysis was conducted to clarify the underlying mechanism of remyelination.

Results: Our results indicate that in the SCI model, fucoidan exhibits significant anti-inflammatory effects and promotes the transformation of pro-inflammatory M1-type microglia/macrophages into anti-inflammatory M2-type ones. Fucoidan enhances the survival of neurons and axons in the injury area and improves remyelination. Additionally, fucoidan promotes OPCs differentiation into mature oligodendrocytes by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Conclusion: Fucoidan improves SCI repair by modulating the microenvironment and promoting remyelination.

Keywords

OPCs differentiation; fucoidan; microenvironment; neuroinflammation; remyelination; spinal cord injury.

Figures
Products