Effect of mytilan on the UV-radiation resistance of marine invertebrate larvae and human lymphocytes

The effect of UV irradiation on the state of marine invertebrate larvae (a bivalve mollusk and a sea urchin) and human peripheral blood lymphocytes was investigated in the presence of mytilan, a polysaccharide isolated from the mussel Crenomytilus grayanus. This polysaccharide exhibited UV-protective activities in each of the tested model systems. The preincubation with mytilan markedly reduced the negative effects of UV irradiation: the viability of marine invertebrate larvae was enhanced, the occurrence of their morphological abnormalities decreased, the number of viable lymphocytes increased, and the basic parameters of physiological activity of lymphocytes became normal.