New research has shown that polysaccharides as an extract from red algaeaffect immune system. Carrageenan is a biologically active polysaccharide isolated from red algae and used in the food industry as a gelling agent, stabilizer or thickener. According to the new study, it specifically affects the defense system of laboratory mice.
New findings about red algae extract
However, the fact that carrageenan has immunosuppressive properties in a particular case does not generally make it dangerous or toxic, according to the study authors. Research shows that carrageenan and the low molecular weight products of its partial degradation are not pharmacologically inert. On the contrary, they can suppress the immune system. After adding such an extract from red algae to the diet of laboratory mice for a week, the activity of their innate immune cells decreased and the leukocyte count fell. The paper leaves many questions unanswered. However, it is becoming clear that although carrageenan is an integral part of the human diet, its medicinal potential is extremely underestimated.
Immunosuppressants are used to treat various diseases such as allergies and autoimmune diseases. These would be, for example, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic scleroderma and others. Usually, these diseases are associated with the hyperactivity of some parts of the immune system and/or with the reduced production or functional activity of immunosuppressive cells. An imbalance between inflammation and suppression can therefore lead to the development of an excessive immune response to a patient's own antigens. According to the scientist, it is still too early to think about the development of immunosuppressants based on it. The biological properties of carrageenan require further basic research, which could take years, according to the study authors.
Study results
The research team believes that red algae polysaccharides may react with cell receptors directly or indirectly when taken orally. This means that they interact with the receptors of immune cells in the gastrointestinal tract. This in turn transmits the information to the immune cells in the blood. In addition, coveredthis studydoes not contain the red algae extract used in the food industry and consumed by humans. Such carrageenan must meet strict requirements, including the maximum allowable molecular mass and dosage. Its dosages are several orders of magnitude lower than those used in the experiment. In addition, foods do not contain pure carrageenan. It is consumed together with proteins and other substances that significantly affect its properties. The intestinal bacteria of mice and humans are very different. Carrageenan may not have a suppressive effect on the human immune system. So, simply put, it can have immunosuppressive properties when needed and immunomodulatory properties in other cases. This fact is confirmed by some experimental data.
