Metabolism and calcium antagonism of sodium alginate oligosaccharides.

Sodium alginate oligosaccharides (NaAOs) consisting of a mixture of eight oligosaccharides have previously been reported to lower blood pressure. We investigated in this study the excretion of NaAOs into the urine or feces, and attempted to elucidate the mechanism for lowering blood pressure by using isolated mesenteric arteries from the rabbit. The recovery rate of P8, which is the main component of NaAOs, was 5.2% and 58.9% over 48 hours in the urine and feces, respectively. The mechanism for lowering blood pressure appeared to be NaAOs having calcium antagonist activity, especially voltage-operated calcium channels. Our results suggest that NaAOs are substantially excreted into the feces, although some of them may be absorbed internally, exerting antagonist activity towards the calcium channels, especially voltage-operated calcium channels.