Renoprotective effect of low-molecular-weight sulfated polysaccharide from the seaweed Laminaria japonica on glycerol-induced acute kidney injury in rats

We investigated the renal protective effect of low-molecular-weight sulfated polysaccharide (LMWSP) fractions extracted from Laminaria japonica on glycerol-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats. Glycerol treatment significantly increased serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Intraperitoneal injection of LMWSP fractions markedly decreased SCr and BUN levels and reduced renal swelling. The fraction of 1.0 M NaCl displayed the best renal protective effect of all fractions in attenuating AKI and maintaining blood glucose.