There is interesting potential application of BIOFILAM as one of the best sources of fucoidan is for inflammatory conditions of the alimentary tract.
The inflammation process involves elevated synthesis of the proinflammotory mediators like adhesion molecules, white cell infiltration of gastrointestinal mucosa and altered mucosal integrity. Therapeutic use of heparin has produced clinical remission in the majority of patients with inflammatory bowel disorder. One of the mechanisms involved is restoration of the fibroblast growth factor activity that stimulates repair of the epithelium. Since fucoidan shares many properties with heparin including cell surfact activity one can expect similar therapeutic benefit with use of fucoidan.
Another mechanism of the beneficial effect of heparin, heparin sulphate and potentially fucoidan is their mucosal – protective properties as glycosaminoglycans. Gastrointestinal inflammation may cause alteration in the protective mucosal layer of glycosalminoglycans and may cause substances like heparin and fucoidan to become “conditionally essential” nutrients suitable for oral administration because they can be absorbed across the GI mucosa.
L.Gordin, M.D. Cambridge, MA