Abstract:

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of Sargassum wightii fucoidans with different molecular
weights on lipid metabolism of hyperlipidemic mice. Hyperlipidemic mouse models were established by gavaging medium
molecular weight fractions (MMWF1 and MMWF2) and low molecular weight fractions (LMWF1 and LMWF2) of
Sargassum wightii fucoidan. The body weights and liver indices of mice were measured. Serum indices such as total
cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
(LDL-C) and liver TC and TG levels were determined. The efficacy of Sargassum wightii fucoidan for reducing blood lipids
was examined. Sargassum wightii fucoidan with four different molecular weights did not result in an obvious increase in
body weights of experimental mice but at the high dosage significantly reduced liver indices of the mice (P < 0.05). All
four fucoidan fractions from Sargassum wightii significantly reduced serum TG, TC and LDL-C levels and liver TC and
TG levels (P < 0.05) and increased serum HDL-C level (P < 0.05) of hyperlipidemic mice. They also significantly reduced
atherosclerosis index (AI) and prevented the occurrence of atherosclerosis (P < 0.05), effectively reduced TC and TG levels,
regulated lipid metabolism and effectively alleviated hyperlipidemia. Sargassum wightii fucoidan at the high dose revealed
the most significant blood lipid-reducing effect in a dose-dependent manner.

Key words: Sargassum wightii, fucoidan, hyperlipidemia, lipid metabolism