Low molecular weight fucoidan modulates P-selectin and alleviates diabetic nephropathy

• Low molecular weight fucoidan protects renal function in diabetic nephropathy rats.
• Low molecular weight fucoidan maintains normal morphological structure of kidney.
• Low molecular weight fucoidan modulates the P-selectin level in diabetic nephropathy.
• Low molecular weight fucoidan alleviates selectin-depended inflammatory cytokines.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a serious microvascular complication that can lead to chronic and end-stage renal failure. It is understood that inflammation is associated with the onset and process of DN. Low molecular weight fucoidan (LMWF) isolated from Saccharina japonica has anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the mechanism of LMWF in DN model induced by streptozotocin. The biochemical indices levels showed LMWF reduced the DN diagnostic indices to protect renal function. The HE stained sections exhibited LMWF protected normal morphological structures and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in the kidneys of DN rats. Furthermore, the levels of P-selectin and selectin-dependent inflammatory cytokines resulting from LMWF were obviously decreased at both the transcriptional and protein levels. Thus, our results found that LMWF protected the renal function in DN rats and alleviated inflammation through the modulation of P-selectin and inflammatory cytokines. LMWF may have therapeutic potential against DN.