Background Glucosamine is a commonly used ‘over the counter’ dietary supplement. Previous research has identified an association between glucosamine use and several positive health outcomes. However, a plausible biological mechanism for these associations has not yet been identified, meaning the causality of these relationships remains unclear. A protective effect of glucosamine on the vascular endothelium has been suggested as one such possible mechanism. Albuminuria is an early marker of endothelial dysfunction within the kidney and is associated with progression of kidney disease and adverse cardiovascular outcomes. In order to provide insights into the potential biological mechanisms underlying a protective association of glucosamine use with health outcomes, we evaluated evidence for an association between glucosamine use and albuminuria in UK Biobank (N=436 200). Methods Univariable and multivariable ordinal logistic regression were performed to evaluate evidence for an association between self-reported glucosamine use and albuminuria (measured as urine albumin creatinine ratio (uACR) categories). As a secondary analysis, we performed Mendelian randomisation (MR) to demonstrate the difficulties in inferring causality in this relationship using currently available data, using summary genetic data from UK Biobank and CDKGen (N=67 452). Results We found that people who used glucosamine were more likely to be in a lower uACR group (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.83, p<2.2×10−16). This association was robust to sensitivity analyses and was maintained after adjustment for age, sex and measures of obesity. In our MR analysis, we found little evidence for an association of genetically proxied glucosamine use on albuminuria (change in log uACR (mg/g) per SD change in genetic liability=1.11, 95% CI −3.01 to 5.23, p=0.60). Conclusions We found that detectable albuminuria was common in UK Biobank participants and we are the first to show that use of glucosamine supplements was associated with lower levels. Though this fits with a plausible biological role of the vascular endothelium in a potential protective effect of glucosamine use on many health outcomes, whether this relationship is causal or confounded remains unclear. We further discuss the inherent difficulties in using genetic instruments to proxy supplement use in MR analyses and highlight the need for a genome-wide association study of measured circulating glucosamine levels. Data may be obtained from a third party and are not publicly available. Data are available from the UK Biobank () for researchers who meet the criteria for access to deidentified UK Biobank data.

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers, resulting in numerous deaths worldwide. It is classified into small-cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. The non-small cell lung cancer accounts for approximately 80% of all cases. Current chemotherapeutic treatments, often limited by severe side effects and toxicity to healthy tissues, underscore the need for more effective and better-tolerated therapies. Natural compounds, such as fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from brown algae, offer a promising avenue for developing such treatments due to their ability to eliminate tumor cells, delay tumor growth, and improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. Furthermore, fucoidan has received much attention in cancer therapy owing to its various advantages, including its abundance in natural sources, unique structural features of sulfate groups capable of interacting with receptors involved in cancer suppression, and its ability to modulate multiple cancer pathways. This review provides an overview of key factors contributing to lung cancer development, introduces the chemical structure and classification of fucoidans, and comprehensively examines their antilung cancer mechanisms, including apoptosis induction, proliferation inhibition, metastatic suppression, and immune modulation at the cellular level. Drug discovery and preclinical studies evaluating fucoidan in lung cancer therapy are summarized and discussed. Finally, current challenges and future research directions for fucoidan-based drug design are addressed, focusing on the steps necessary to translate promising preclinical findings into clinical applications.

Scientific Reports - Investigating fucoidan blend supplementation and resistance training in humans: a parallel randomized controlled trial design

D-allulose is a rare monosaccharide with established safety and documented biological functions, whereas its potential effects on ulcerative colitis r…

Glyphosate-Based Herbicide (GBHs) are widely used worldwide, this study investigated the ameliorative effect of Aloe Vera against GBHs hepatic toxicity in ra...

Acute kidney injury is a sudden loss of kidney function which manifests within a few hours to few days

Postprandial hyperglycemia remains a critical driver of diabetes progression. Fucoidan, a marine-derived sulfated polysaccharide with broad bioactivit…

Sarcopenia, characterized by age-related loss of muscle mass and function, presents a growing public health concern in aging populations. While resist…

The acute effect of D-allulose consumption on postprandial glycaemia and insulin secretion in healthy individuals - Volume 84 Issue OCE4

Excessive sugar intake has fueled global obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular burdens, driving demand for natural sugar substitutes. Yet, their safet…

This study aimed to unveil the effect of glucosamine hydrochloride (GAH) and eperisone combined with exercise therapy on inflammatory markers and knee joint function in patients with knee osteoarth...

This study investigated the anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory effects of D-Allulose compared to erythritol in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, focusing …

Background: Aging is associated with chronic diseases and increased oxidative stress, particularly affecting liver function. Aging is linked to chronic diseases and heightened oxidative stress, particularly impacting liver function. Recent research has demonstrated that oral administration of trehalose offers multiple benefits for various tissues and organs.Methods: This study investigated the effects of oral trehalose (2% in water) on the gene expression of key markers linked to liver oxidative stress and inflammation in 4-month-old adult and 24-month-old Wistar rats. Thirty-two male Wistar rats (n = 8) were randomly assigned into four groups: adult control, aged control, adult trehalose (2% in water), and aged trehalose, over a treatment period of one month. Following treatment, liver tissues were analyzed using real-time PCR for genes related to oxidative stress (PGC-1α, NRF2, and SOD) and inflammation (NF-κB, IL-1β, TNF-α, and TGF-β).Results: Our findings revealed a significant up-regulation of PGC-1α, NRF2, and SOD in aged trehalose group compared to the aged control (P < 0.001); however, SOD expression increased by trehalose administration in aged rats compared to other 3 groups. Inflammatory markers (NF-κB, IL-1β, TNF-α) were significantly reduced by trehalose, and TGF-β expression, involved in fibrosis, was attenuated exclusively in aged rats compared with controls (P < 0.05).Conclusion: These results suggest that trehalose has a protective effect on hepatic function, particularly in the aging population, and highlight its potential therapeutic role in age-associated liver dysfunction.

This review explores the pharmacological potential of chondroitin sulfate and fucoidan as immunomodulatory agents targeting N-acetylgalactosaminidase (nagalase) to normalize immune responses. Nagalase, an enzyme produced by tumor and virus-infected cells, contributes to immune suppression by deactivating macrophage-activating factor. Both chondroitin sulfate and fucoidan, as representatives of glycosaminoglycans and heteropolysaccharides, exhibit significant potential in inhibiting nagalase activity, thereby restoring immune functionality. Chondroitin sulfate, a key component of the extracellular matrix, demonstrates anti-inflammatory and tissue-regenerative properties by modulating nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathways and cytokine expression. Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed, enhances immune responses through macrophage and natural killer cell activation, while also exhibiting antiviral and anticancer activities. This dual action positions these compounds as promising agents for therapeutic interventions in chronic inflammatory conditions, cancer, and infectious diseases. The synergistic effects of chondroitin sulfate and fucoidan highlight their potential to address the root causes of immune dysregulation. This review aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and explore the clinical applications of these compounds within the framework of innovative immunotherapeutic strategies. However, current evidence is limited by the predominance of preclinical studies and variability in experimental models. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to validate their efficacy for therapeutic use.

This review explores the pharmacological potential of chondroitin sulfate and fucoidan as immunomodulatory agents targeting N-acetylgalactosaminidase (nagalase) to normalize immune responses. Nagalase, an enzyme produced by tumor and virus-infected cells, contributes to immune suppression by deactivating macrophage-activating factor. Both chondroitin sulfate and fucoidan, as representatives of glycosaminoglycans and heteropolysaccharides, exhibit significant potential in inhibiting nagalase activity, thereby restoring immune functionality. Chondroitin sulfate, a key component of the extracellular matrix, demonstrates anti-inflammatory and tissue-regenerative properties by modulating nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathways and cytokine expression. Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed, enhances immune responses through macrophage and natural killer cell activation, while also exhibiting antiviral and anticancer activities. This dual action positions these compounds as promising agents for therapeutic interventions in chronic inflammatory conditions, cancer, and infectious diseases. The synergistic effects of chondroitin sulfate and fucoidan highlight their potential to address the root causes of immune dysregulation. This review aims to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and explore the clinical applications of these compounds within the framework of innovative immunotherapeutic strategies. However, current evidence is limited by the predominance of preclinical studies and variability in experimental models. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to validate their efficacy for therapeutic use.

As the fourth-largest global food crop, the quality and functional characteristics of processed potato products are closely linked to endogenous sugar metabolism in tubers, with the trehalose–sucrose metabolism playing a key role in processing adaptability. This study analyzed 333 accessions from a tetraploid potato natural population. The trehalose and sucrose content of potato tubers at harvest was quantified using the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Combined with whole-genome resequencing, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to map regulatory loci and identify candidate genes. The results showed that relative trehalose content in tubers was 20.38–24.78, while relative sucrose content was 10.32–19.50. Frequency histograms for both sugars exhibited normal distributions characteristic of quantitative traits, and a positive correlation was observed between them. GWAS for trehalose identified 111 significant SNP loci, mainly on chromosomes 10 and 12, leading to the identification of 88 candidate genes. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis (KEGG) revealed that trehalose-related genes were primarily involved in pathways such as ABC transporters, tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and cysteine and methionine metabolism. Candidate genes potentially regulating tuber trehalose content included GH10, GH28, GH127, UXS, UGT, PMEI, and MYB108. For sucrose, GWAS identified 279 significant SNP loci, mainly on chromosomes 5, 6, and 12, resulting in 111 candidate genes. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that sucrose-related genes were enriched in pathways including starch and sucrose metabolism, cyanoamino acid metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Candidate genes potentially regulating tuber sucrose content included GH17, GH31,GH47, GH9A4, SPP1, BGLU12, GSA1, TPS8, cwINV4, HXK, UST, MYB5, MYB14, and WRKY11. Therefore, this study provides marker loci for trehalose and sucrose metabolism research, aiming to clarify their regulatory mechanisms and support potato variety improvement and superior germplasm development.

Regular use of glucosamine was associated with a reduced risk of several age-related chronic diseases. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and to clarify its potential role in supporting healthy aging.

This study aimed to elucidate the anticancer mechanism of Fucoidan (FCD) in Benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P)-induced lung cancer, especially its effect on club …

Rheumatoid arthritis is a persistent immune-mediated inflammatory disorder that primarily affects joint bones, impacting approximately 0.5–1.0% of the global population. People with RA are 1.5 times more likely to develop cardiovascular conditions, including atherosclerosis. This study explored the therapeutic potential of GAc in a rat model of RA induced by CFA, focusing on its impact on biomarkers associated with atherosclerosis. Molecular docking studies indicated strong binding affinities of GAc with key inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, NF-κB and PRMT-1. The experimental model of 23 days involved the induction of arthritis by injecting 0.15 mL of CFA into the sub-plantar region of the rats’ left hind paws. GAc was dissolved in distilled water and administered to rats via oral gavage. Our results revealed that the administration of GAc, particularly in combination with MtxSt (GAc 10 g/kg + MtxSt), significantly (p < 0.001) reduced arthritic scores, joint stiffness scores, paw thickness, levels of lipids (LDL, VLDL, TG, and TC), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), homocysteine, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, GAc markedly (p < 0.001) improved body weight, hematological parameters (RBC, %HCT and Hb), HDL, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1(DDAH-1), and CST levels. Histopathological assessments showed that GAc 10 g/kg + MtxSt significantly alleviated bone and cartilage erosion (p < 0.001), pannus formation (p < 0.001), synovial hyperplasia (p < 0.01), vascular congestion (p < 0.001) and inflammatory cell infiltration (p < 0.001). The therapeutic efficacy of GAc is ascribed to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-atherosclerotic properties. This study suggested that combining GAc with MtxSt exerts a synergistic effect in mitigating inflammation and reducing the risk of atherosclerosis associated with RA.

This study clarified the structure and digestive properties of the Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP). It was demonstrated that LJP belongs to a heteropolysaccharide composed of mannuronic acid, fucose, galactose, glucuronic acid, mannose, xylose, glucose, and guluronic acid in the proportion of 34.56%: 30.55%: 10.63%: 7.52%: 6.66%: 3.74%: 3.62%: 2.72%, with a backbone chain composed of →4)-β-d-ManA-(1→, →3)-α-l-Fucp-(1→, →4)-α-GulA-(1→, →3,4)-α-GlcA-(1→, and →4)-β-d-GlcA-(1→. In vivo fluorescence imaging indicated that LJP was mainly distributed in the stomach and intestinal segments of mice, and the fluorescence signal gradually disappeared after 12 h of digestion. In addition, LJP had no effect on the phenotype and general health of mice while promoting the proliferation of the beneficial bacteria Rikenella, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group. Notably, 100 mg/kg LJP significantly increased the levels of acetic and butyric acid in the mice feces, which were 1.51 and 2.65 folds higher than the controls, respectively. Our study illuminated the absorption and distribution mechanism of LJP, providing a scientific reference for revealing LJP as a potential prebiotic.

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide, demonstrates many biological activities. It has found extensive applications across medicine, food, cosmetics, an…

Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan (UPF), a bioactive sulphated polysaccharide, is widely recognised for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, anticoagulant, antiviral, and immunomodulatory properties. However, the precise mechanisms by which UPF ...

Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan (UPF), a sulphated polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed, has attracted increasing scientific interest for its wide-ranging anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. Previous studies have demonstrated that UPF exerts significant anti-inflammatory effects through the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inhibition of key signalling pathways such as NF-κB and MAPKs, suppression of oxidative stress, and modulation of immune mediators and gut microbiota. In parallel, emerging evidence highlights UPF's neuroprotective potential, characterised by reduced neuroinflammation, oxidative damage, and amyloid-beta accumulation, alongside enhanced antioxidant defence and neuronal function. Current investigations reinforce these findings, suggesting that UPF may serve as a valuable adjunct in managing inflammation-related disorders and neurodegenerative conditions. This review summarises the current knowledge on UPF’s mechanisms of action, with a particular focus on its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective pathways and implications for brain health, while also identifying gaps for future research and clinical translation.

Aloe vera (Av) is revered in Ayurveda as the "wand of heaven" or "heaven's blessing" and precisely the "silent healer". This herbaceous plant belongs …

And Why Matcha Might Be the Far Smarter & Healthier Fix

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, with increasing incidence and prevalence.Currently, no effective tre…

Aloe vera (L.) Burm.f., (AE) herb has been shown to have osteogenic, anti‐diabetic, and prebiotic activities in animal and human studies. Postmenopausal women generally exhibit massive bone loss, impaired intestinal calcium absorption, ...

Low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF), a depolymerized form, is known to possess superior bioactivities compared to its high molecular weight counterpa…