Silicon Agent Generates Hydrogen to Treat Ulcerative Colitis in Mice
- Authors
- Yoshihisa Koyama, Yuki Kobayashi, Ikuei Hirota, Yuanjie Sun, Iwao Ohtsu, Hiroe Imai, Yoshichika Yoshioka, Hiroto Yanagawa, Takuya Sumi, Hikaru Kobayashi, Shoichi Shimada
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Year
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41598-022-13655-7
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Ulcerative Colitis
- Body System
- Gastrointestinal
TL;DR
A silicon-based compound that releases hydrogen was found to help treat ulcerative colitis in mice by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Key Finding
A silicon-based agent that generates hydrogen in the gastrointestinal tract reduced inflammation, oxidative stress, and both digestive and mental symptoms in mice with ulcerative colitis.
Summary
Researchers tested a silicon-based compound in mice with ulcerative colitis (a chronic inflammatory bowel disease). When ingested, this compound generated hydrogen gas in the digestive tract. The treatment reduced inflammation, oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules), and gastrointestinal symptoms in the mice. It also improved mood-related symptoms, suggesting the compound may work through connections between the gut and brain.
Practical Takeaway
While this early-stage mouse study suggests hydrogen-generating compounds may help with ulcerative colitis through multiple pathways, human studies are needed before any conclusions can be drawn. The findings are preliminary and do not yet support use of such compounds as a treatment in people.
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a non-specific inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers and erosions in the colonic mucosa and becomes chronic with cycles of amelioration and exacerbation. Because its exact etiology remains largely unclear, and the primary therapy is limited to symptomatic treatment, the development of new therapeutic agent for UC is highly desired. Because one of the disease pathogenesis is involvement of oxidative stress, it is likely that an appropriate antioxidant will be an effective therapeutic agent for UC. Our silicon (Si)-based agent, when ingested, allowed for stable and persistent generation of massive amounts of hydrogen in the gastrointestinal tract. We demonstrated the Si-based agent alleviated the mental symptom as well as the gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammation, and oxidation associated with dextran sodium sulfate-induced UC model through Hydrogen and antioxidant sulfur compounds. As the Si-based agent was effective in treating UC in the brain and large intestine of mice, it was considered to be capable of suppressing exacerbations and sustaining remission of UC.