Algal Polysaccharides as Therapeutic Agents for Atherosclerosis

Nikita P. Patil; Victoria Le; Andrew D. Sligar; Lei Mei; Daniel Chavarria; Emily Y. Yang; Aaron B. Baker; Aaron B. Baker; Aaron B. Baker; Aaron B. Baker

doi:10.3389/fcvm.2018.00153

Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (Oct 2018)

Algal Polysaccharides as Therapeutic Agents for Atherosclerosis

Nikita P. Patil,
Victoria Le,
Andrew D. Sligar,
Lei Mei,
Daniel Chavarria,
Emily Y. Yang,
Aaron B. Baker,
Aaron B. Baker,
Aaron B. Baker,
Aaron B. Baker

Affiliations

Nikita P. Patil: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Victoria Le: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Andrew D. Sligar: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Lei Mei: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Daniel Chavarria: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Emily Y. Yang: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Aaron B. Baker: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Aaron B. Baker: Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Aaron B. Baker: Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Aaron B. Baker: Institute for Biomaterials, Drug Delivery and Regenerative Medicine, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2018.00153
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 5

Abstract

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Seaweed-derived polysaccharides including agar and alginate, have found widespread applications in biomedical research and medical therapeutic applications including wound healing, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Given the recent increases in the incidence of diabetes, obesity and hyperlipidemia, there is a pressing need for low cost therapeutics that can economically and effectively slow the progression of atherosclerosis. Marine polysaccharides have been consumed by humans for millennia and are available in large quantities at low cost. Polysaccharides such as fucoidan, laminarin sulfate and ulvan have shown promise in reducing atherosclerosis and its accompanying risk factors in animal models. However, others have been tested in very limited context in scientific studies. In this review, we explore the current state of knowledge for these promising therapeutics and discuss the potential and challenges of using seaweed derived polysaccharides as therapies for atherosclerosis.

Published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine

ISSN: 2297-055X (Online)
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Specialties of internal medicine: Diseases of the circulatory (Cardiovascular) system
Website: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine

About the journal

Abstract

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