Fucoidan from Cucumaria frondosa Inhibits Pancreatic Islets Apoptosis Through Mitochondrial Signaling Pathway in Insulin Resistant Mice

Abstract

Fucoidan from sea cucumber is reported to exhibit anti-hyperglycaemic effect, but its influence on pancreatic islets is lacking. The effects of fucoidan from Cucumaria frondosa (Cf-FUC) on inhibiting pancreatic islets apoptosis in high-fat high-sucrose diet (HFSD)-induced insulin resistant mice were investigated in this study. The results showed that Cf-FUC significantly prevented HFSD-injured pancreatic islets, decreased blood glucose, insulin and TNF-α levels, and increased adiponectin level. Cf-FUC significantly reduced Bid, Bax, cytochrome c, caspase 9, and caspase 3 mRNA expression levels, and increased Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL mRNA expression levels. Cf-FUC also caused significant down-regulation of t-Bid, Bax, cytochrome c in cytoplasm, caspase 9, and cleaved-caspase 3 proteins, and up-regulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins. Furthermore, Cf-FUC enhanced the effects of RSG. This study demonstrates that Cf-FUC inhibits pancreatic islets apoptosis via inhibiting mitochondrial pathway, which may provide a dietary intervention hyperglycaemia-induced pancreatic islets apoptosis.