# Complimentary NMR and Bio-Assay Guided Screening of Edible Marine Algae for AGE Inhibitors to Control Glycative Stress and Reduce Risk of Neurodegeneration.

> **NIH NIH F31** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2021 · $44,164

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
A recent report in Science reveals how reducing glycative stress and preventing the formation of
Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs) will improve biological resilience and reduce the risk of
developing Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Sugar degradation and metabolism result in the production of reactive
carbonyl species, primarily glyceraldehyde, glyoxal and methylglyoxal, that spontaneously react with amino and
nucleic acids. These reactions lead to improper protein function and DNA damage that contribute to the
progression of a variety of aging related degenerative diseases including vascular stiffening, neurodegeneration,
nephropathy and cancer (1-6). Recently, an enzyme whose deficiency is associated with early-onset Parkinson’s
Disease, DJ-1, was found to have glyoxalase and deglycase activity, detoxifying reactive carbonyls and repairing
glycated guanine (7-11). Importantly, these enzymes only appear to act on early-stage glycation products, once
formed, Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) are highly stable and readily accumulate. Free AGEs bind to
and activate the receptor for AGEs (RAGE), which has a number of signaling cascades relevant to oxidative
stress, inflammation and cellular proliferation (12, 13). These discoveries reveal both the evolutionary
significance and the potential therapeutic value of controlling spontaneous glycation reactions and mitigating
AGE exposure and accumulation. Natural products that scavenge reactive carbonyls, protect vulnerable amines
and reduce RAGE activation are viable candidates to achieve these goals and improve biological resilience.
Although largely absent from the Western Diet, marine macroalgae have been a major component of the human
diet throughout history, including those of some of the healthiest populations in the world-- such as the Blue Zone
of Okinawa (14-16). Today, aquaculture is fastest growing sector of food production and macroalgae production
has distinct potential for addressing both food security and environmental degradation problems associated with
rising global populations (17, 18). As a result, macroalgal production, which already surpasses coffee, tea and
chocolate production by tonnage, is only expected to rise. Thus, making investigations into the potential utility of
algae derived products worthy of prioritization. The chemical diversity of edible algae is distinct from that of
terrestrial plants and relatively underexplored. Early investigations into the potential use of algal phytochemicals
for controlling glycative stress are promising but lack key mechanistic details and viability assessments in vivo
(19, 20). Currently, there are no FDA-approved therapeutics or supplements targeting glycative stress or AGE
formation to improve biological resilience or control related pathologies. We hypothesize that edible marine
algae will serve as a plentiful source for novel therapeutics for controlling glycative stress and
preventing AGE formation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10329892
- **Project number:** 5F31AT011158-02
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** George Steven Hanna
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $44,164
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-17 → 2023-08-16

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10329892

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10329892, Complimentary NMR and Bio-Assay Guided Screening of Edible Marine Algae for AGE Inhibitors to Control Glycative Stress and Reduce Risk of Neurodegeneration. (5F31AT011158-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10329892. Licensed CC0.

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