Limitations of alginate gels as a culture model for the study of the effects of UVA radiation on human dermal fibroblasts.
Le Tallec LP, Korwin-Zmijowska C, Adolphe M
Laboratoire de Pharmacologie Cellulaire de l'Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, Paris, France.
Several studies were undertaken to develop three-dimensional (3-D) cell culture models that allow conditions closer to the in vivo situation. To this end, alginate gels were tested as a 3-D cell culture model that might be useful in the study of the effects of UVA on human dermal fibroblasts. Cell culture in alginate gels and the irradiation conditions were optimized. Results showed that optimized cultures in alginate gels experienced considerable cell death on UVA irradiation compared to the classical monolayer cell culture. Viability tests (cell counting and neutral red assay) were performed to show that only UVA-irradiated alginate gels were responsible for this cytotoxicity. The implication of oxygen species in the phototoxicity induced by ultraviolet light has already been described; for this reason we investigated whether oxygen species were involved in the cytotoxicity induced by alginate upon UVA irradiation. It appeared that superoxide anion is not implicated.
PMID: 9049099, UI: 97201320

Kelp is now best recognised for its ability to protect the body against radiation. The sodium alginate in kelp helps prevent the absorption of Strontium-90, a by-product of nuclear power and weapons facilities. Studies have shown that alginate supplements can reduce Strontium-90 absorption by as much as 83 %. (Carr T, et al, Int J Radiat Biol. 14(3), 225,1969.) The US Atomic Energy Commission guidelines advocate 2 tablespoons of an alginate supplement per day to prevent Strontium-90 absorption and the troubles that go with it, such as leukemia, bone cancer and Hodgkin's disease. (Yamamoto I, et al, Japan J Exp Med, 44(6), 543,1974; Suzuki Y, Chemotherapy (Tokyo), 28(2), 165, 1980; US Dept Health & Human Services, Dietary Aspects of Carcinogenesis, Nov 1981; Yamamoto I, et. Al, Japan J Exp Med, 51(3), 187,1981)

Ocean Algae's Beneficiary Effects
Ocean Algae are rich in proteins, vitamins, and important trace elements, including iodine and selenium.
Alginate Binds to Heavy Metals, Which are Secreted From the Human Body
The carbohydrates making up the algae cell walls are called alginate.
Alginate has the unique and important ability of binding heavy metals and radioactive substances to its own molecules. As the alginate cannot be broken down by the bile or saliva and cannot be absorbed by the body, it is secreted from the body together with the heavy metals and radioactive substances.
Alginate binds to all heavy metals, including lead, copper, zinc, mercury, cadmium, cobalt, and radium. The binding process takes place whether the metals are radioactive or not.
This is particularly important for cadmium and mercury, as these metals are found at
dangerously high levels in air, water, and food pollution. As an example, any greens grown within 175 feet of high traffic roads may contain toxic levels of heavy metals.
Alginate Can Remove Heavy Metals absorbed from previous Exposures
Alginate can also remove isotopes that have previously been absorbed by the human body from air, water, or food pollution. In the event that radioactive strontium is released into the body, the substance will be rotated by the blood until it is deposited into the bone structure. Even small amounts of radioactive pollution will expose surrounding cells with radioactive emission. Hence radioactivity should be removed from the body.
A percentage of strontium molecules stored in the bone structure is constantly released and is traveling with the bloodstream. As the blood feeds the saliva, gallbladder and bile, part of the released strontium ends up in the large intestine. Most of the liquid in the large intestine is reabsorbed by the body, including the radioactive isotopes, which are redeposited into the bone structure. Alginate can break this process, as strontium isotopes are bound to the alginate molecules and released from the body.
In Summary
The best prevention against heavy metal and radioactive absorption is to consume alginate before or during the meals. This will ensure a heavy metal and radioactive absorption of almost 100 percent, as the alginate comes in contact with all molecules.
Heavy metals and radioactivity that have previously been absorbed by the body are leaching and approximately one percent finds its way to the digestive system, where heavy metal removal is a longer process. Alginate should be consumed over at least a 4-months period in order to remove heavy metals and radioactive absorption caused by previous exposure.

University of Goteborg, Sweden,
Goran Michanek, Marine Biologist
Translated by Joar Opheim

Biochem Mol Biol Int 1996 Jul;39(4):789-95
Development of a metallothionein based heavy metal biosorbent.
Pazirandeh M
Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375, USA.
The potential utility of a recombinant E. coli expressing the Neurospora crassa metallothionein gene (NCP) as a heavy metal biosorbent was investigated. It was shown that the NCP was capable of efficiently removing low levels of several metals (including cadmium, lead, and mercury) from solutions. The reusability of the NCP was demonstrated through 5 cycles of metal binding, stripping with dilute acid, and regeneration of the binding sites with out any adverse effect on the metal binding activity. The NCP was successfully encapsulated in alginate and acrylamide without any inhibitory effect on its metal uptake activity. Furthermore, the metal uptake activity of the NCP was shown to be metabolism independent and resistant to solvents and other compounds (eg. polyaromatic hydrocarbons) which are often present along with heavy metals in waste waters thereby creating the potential for non-viable, encapsulated cells to be used.
PMID: 8843348, UI: 97000206


Radiats Biol Radioecol 1996 May-Jun;36(3):427-33
[The effect of algisorb on the level of the accumulation of zirconium, ruthenium, iodine and cesium radioactive isotopes in the body of rats].
[Article in Russian]
Ivannikov AT, Altukhova GA, Parfenova IM, Popov BA
The sorption effect of Algisorbum has been studied in rats following single and multiple intragastric administration. Algisorbum doses of 250-2000 mg/kg decrease the absorption of 106Ru and 95Zr by 50%, that of 137Cs by 15% and have no effect on 131I absorption. Application of a complex of agents to protect the body from nuclear fission products is discussed.
PMID: 8704921, UI: 96313874