Hydrogen During Pregnancy Linked to Brain Development in Offspring Mice
Administration of molecular hydrogen during pregnancy improves behavioral abnormalities of offspring in a maternal immune activation model
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System · Immune System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Kenji Imai, Tomomi Kotani, Hiroyuki Tsuda, Tomoko Nakano, Takafumi Ushida, Akira Iwase, Taku Nagai, Shinya Toyokuni, Akio Suzumura, Fumitaka Kikkawa
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Year
- 2018
- PMID
- 29907804
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 22 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Giving molecular hydrogen (H2) to pregnant mice reduced brain damage and improved memory and social behaviors in their babies, who were otherwise affected by an immune-triggering substance.
Key Finding
In mice, maternal hydrogen water administration prevented behavioral abnormalities and brain cell loss in offspring exposed to maternal immune activation during pregnancy.
Summary
This mouse study tested whether giving pregnant mothers molecular hydrogen (hydrogen gas dissolved in water) could protect their offspring's brain development when the mothers experienced an immune system activation (triggered by a bacterial component). Researchers found that offspring of untreated mothers showed memory problems and difficulty with social interaction, along with brain cell loss. However, offspring of mothers who received hydrogen water showed significant improvement in these behavioral problems and had better-preserved brain cells.
Practical Takeaway
This is an animal study in mice, so results cannot be directly applied to humans. While the findings suggest hydrogen water may have neuroprotective properties during pregnancy, human studies would be needed to determine if similar benefits occur in people. Anyone considering hydrogen water during pregnancy should consult their healthcare provider, as safety in human pregnancy has not been established.
Abstract (excerpt)
AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate long-term outcomes of the offspring in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced maternal immune activation (MIA) model and the effect of maternal molecular hydrogen (H2) administration. We have previously demonstrated in the MIA mouse model that…