Fucoidan Isolated from Laminaria angustata var. longissima Induced Macrophage Activation

We investigated macrophage activation by fucoidan from Laminaria angustata var. longissima in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. The ratio of the chemical composition of the fucoidan was L-fucose:D-galactose:D-glucose:D-xylose:uronic acid:sulfate=1.00:0.54:0.08:0.08:0.64:0.87. The fucoidan induced production of nitric oxide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 in RAW 264.7 cells. These results indicate that the fucoidan induced macrophage activation.