Seaweed mobilization of stem cells
Hobart, Australia -
Stem cell mobilization from the bone marrow is clinically performed by administration of cytokines such as G-CSF in order to collect peripheral blood stem cells, primarily for the purposes of bone marrow transplant. Other newer uses include the mobilization of stem cells in order to accelerate healing of cardiac infarcts, as well as induction of angiogenesis by increasing the number of circulating stem cells in the blood that have angiogenic potential. The possibility of using agents that lack adverse effect and are orally available to mobilize stem cells is very attractive.
In a recent study (Irhimeh et al. Fucoidan ingestion increases the expression of CXCR4 on human CD34 cells. Exp Hematol. 2007 Jun;35(6):989-94), the nutraceutical agent fucoidan, which is found in seaweed, was administered to volunteers in order to assess activity on the stem cell compartment.
Subsequent to oral administration of fucoidan, there was an increase in peripheral blood CD34 cells from 1.64 to 1.84 cells/muL on the fourth day post administration. Interestingly the expression of the chemotactic receptor CXCR4 was upregulated to almost double levels on the 12th day post administration as compared to baseline values.
Unfortunately, the study did not compare fucoidan mobilization side by side with G-CSF mobilization. To our knowledge, G-CSF mobilizes stem cells at a much higher number. Additionally, the authors did not study level of stem cell migration towards chemotactic gradients. If the stem cells increased migration due to upregulation of the chemotactic receptor CXCR4, then this product may have some really interesting characteristics.
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Tanya said...
Please, please dont tell me that this is the "StemEnhance" or whatever they call it. I think all these studies don't mean a thing unless you compare them back to back to "normal" mobilizers such as G-CSF. Look, even G-CSF doesnt really help heart failure when its double blind, so how can seaweed extract???
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Nick Falk said...
Dear Sir/Madam
I just wanted to point out that this study used a specific type of fucoidan, manufactured by Marinova Pty Ltd in Australia. The fucoidan was extracted using a proprietary coldwater process that results in a structurally unique polysaccharide.
Nick Falk
Business Development Manager
Marinova Pty Ltd