Ameliorative and protective effects of fucoidan and sodium alginate against lead-induced oxidative stress in Sprague Dawley rats.

The current study was performed to evaluate the possible protective effects of fucoidan (F) and sodium alginate (SA) against lead-induced oxidative damage in vivo, and to identify relevant underlying mechanisms. Health Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into nine groups of ten rats each and treated orally with lead acetate (5 mg/kg, Pb2+) for 4 weeks, then gavaged with DMSA (Meso-2, 3-dimercaptosuccinic acid, 25 mg/kg), F (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) and SA (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) individually after successful modelling. We found that the administration of both F or SA resulted in a beneficial effect by significantly decreasing lead levels (p < 0.05) in the kidneys from 2.85 mg/kg to 0.79 mg/kg and improving antioxidant status (SOD, GSH, and CAT) thereby alleviating lead-induced damage and injury of the liver and kidneys (AST, BUN, and Cr). Both natural extracts exerted dose-dependent effects. Protective effects were further demonstrated by histopathology. Our results demonstrate that the F and SA are effective natural extracts for lead-eliminating, and that they can ameliorate oxidative damage induced by lead toxicity.