Fucoidan Supplementation Restores Fecal Lysozyme Concentrations in High-Performance Athletes: A Pilot Study
1
School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia
2
Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia
3
School of Medicine, Griffith University, Southport, QLD 4215, Australia
4
Brisbane Lions Australian Football Club, Brisbane, QLD 4215, Australia
5
Marinova Pty Ltd., Cambridge, TAS 7170, Australia
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Mar. Drugs 2020, 18(8), 412; https://doi.org/10.3390/md18080412
Received: 13 June 2020 / Revised: 30 June 2020 / Accepted: 3 August 2020 / Published: 4 August 2020
Nutritional strategies to help promote immune competence are of particular interest for a range of population groups. This study aimed to assess the potential impacts of fucoidan, a seaweed-derived bioactive polysaccharide, on gut markers of immunity and inflammation. A group of professional team-sport athletes were selected for inclusion in the study given the recognized potential for intense physical activity to induce alterations in immune function. A retrospective analysis was performed on stored fecal samples which had been collected from professional team-sport athletes (n = 22) and healthy adults (n = 11) before and after seven days of supplementation with fucoidan (Fucus vesiculosus/Undaria pinnatifida extract, 1 g/d). Fecal concentrations of calprotectin, secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and lysozyme were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The supplement was well tolerated by participants with no adverse events reported. At baseline, fecal lysozyme concentrations were ~73% higher in the healthy adults compared to the professional athletes (p = 0.001). For the professional athletes, a significant (~45%) increase in fecal lysozyme was observed following the supplementation period (p = 0.001). These data suggest that fucoidan supplementation may have the potential to promote the secretion of antimicrobial peptides in specific population groups and contribute to the regulation of mucosal immune health.
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MDPI and ACS Style
Cox, A.J.; Cripps, A.W.; Taylor, P.A.; Fitton, J.H.; West, N.P. Fucoidan Supplementation Restores Fecal Lysozyme Concentrations in High-Performance Athletes: A Pilot Study. Mar. Drugs 2020, 18, 412. https://doi.org/10.3390/md18080412
AMA Style
Cox AJ, Cripps AW, Taylor PA, Fitton JH, West NP. Fucoidan Supplementation Restores Fecal Lysozyme Concentrations in High-Performance Athletes: A Pilot Study. Marine Drugs. 2020; 18(8):412. https://doi.org/10.3390/md18080412
Chicago/Turabian StyleCox, Amanda J., Allan W. Cripps, Phillipa A. Taylor, J. H. Fitton, and Nicholas P. West 2020. "Fucoidan Supplementation Restores Fecal Lysozyme Concentrations in High-Performance Athletes: A Pilot Study" Marine Drugs 18, no. 8: 412. https://doi.org/10.3390/md18080412
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