Preventive Effects of Sea Cucumber-Derived Fucoidan on Helicobacter pylori-Induced Gastritis: Mechanistic Investigation Based on Regulation of Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Products

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a serious public health concern worldwide. This study evaluated the preventive effect of fucoidan extracted from sea cucumber cooking liquid (Fuc-SC) against gastritis induced by Helicobacter pylori SS1 (Hp SS1) infection. High-dose (150 mg/kg) Fuc-SC significantly reduced levels of Hp SS1 immunoglobulin G (Hp-IgG) and Cytotoxicity-related gene A immunoglobulin G (CagA-IgG), while inhibiting urease activity, leading to an approximate 18% reduction in Hp SS1 colonization in the gastric mucosa. Fuc-SC also modulated oxidative stress more effectively than Fuc-LJ, suppressing nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reactive oxygen species (ROS), likely due to its smaller molecular weight and higher sulfate content. Regarding inflammatory regulation, Fuc-SC dose-dependently down-regulated interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, T helper cell 17 (Th17), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), while up-regulating IL-10. These effects further modulated the expression of the inflammatory protein S100A8 and E-cadherin in the gastric mucosa, alleviating gastric inflammation. Moreover, 16S rDNA and metabolomics analyses revealed that Fuc-SC mitigates inflammatory responses by inhibiting pathogenic bacteria such as Dubosiella and Monoglobus, while promoting probiotics like Lactobacillus and Akkermansia, thereby enhancing the biosynthesis of short-chain fatty acids and beneficial metabolites, including naringenin, afzelechin, and pinocembrin. In summary, Fuc-SC exerts multifaceted protective effects on gastric mucosa, highlighting its potential as a preventive strategy for H. pylori-associated gastritis.