Hydrogen Therapy Protects Nerve Cells from Diabetes-Related Damage
Abstract: Protective effects of hydrogen-rich medium on high-glucose-induced oxidative stress and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1-dependent cell death (parthanatos) in rat Schwann cells in vitro
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System
This research was done on cells or tissue in a lab, not in people or animals.
- Evidence type
- Laboratory study (cells or tissue)
- Authors
- Yang Yu, K.L. Xie, Y.X. Bian, G.L. Wang, Yong-Hao Yu
- Journal
- British Journal of Anaesthesia
- Year
- 2016
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Delivery
- Medium (Dissolved)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Scientists found that adding hydrogen to the liquid around nerve cells helps protect them from damage caused by high sugar levels, which is important because this kind of damage happens in people with diabetes and can hurt their nerves.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich medium protected rat Schwann cells from high-glucose-induced oxidative stress and PARP-1-dependent cell death in laboratory conditions.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich liquid could protect nerve cells (Schwann cells) from damage caused by high glucose levels in a laboratory dish. They found that hydrogen-rich medium reduced oxidative stress (a type of cellular damage) and prevented a specific form of cell death called parthanatos, suggesting hydrogen might help protect nerves affected by diabetes.
Practical Takeaway
This early laboratory study suggests hydrogen water may have protective effects on nerve cells exposed to high glucose, which is relevant to diabetic nerve damage. However, this is a cell culture study (not in humans or animals), so it's unclear whether these effects would occur in the body. Much more research, including animal and human studies, would be needed before drawing conclusions about hydrogen water's usefulness for diabetic neuropathy.