Hydrogen Water Protects Against Alcohol-Induced Liver Damage in Mice
- Authors
- Ching-Pin Lin, Wen-Chen Chuang, Fung-Jou Lu, Chih-Yen Chen
- Journal
- World Journal of Gastroenterology
- Year
- 2017
- DOI
- 10.3748/wjg.v23.i27.4920
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Taiwan
- Health Condition
- Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Body System
- Hepatic
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) can help prevent liver damage caused by long-term alcohol consumption in mice.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water reduced alcohol-induced liver damage in mice by activating antioxidant enzymes and reducing inflammatory immune signals, with protective effects similar to a standard liver-protective medication.
Summary
Researchers gave mice with alcohol-induced fatty liver disease either hydrogen-rich water, a standard liver-protective drug (silymarin), or both, over a 12-week period. Hydrogen-rich water reduced markers of liver damage, decreased fat buildup in the liver, lowered inflammatory molecules (immune signals that cause damage), and boosted the liver's natural antioxidant defenses (molecules that protect cells from damage). The effects were comparable to the standard drug.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study in mice, not humans, so results cannot yet be applied to people. While the findings suggest hydrogen-rich water may help protect against alcohol-related liver damage through multiple biological pathways, human clinical trials would be needed to determine if these effects occur in people and at what doses.
Abstract (excerpt)
Aim: To investigate the effects of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) treatment on prevention of ethanol (EtOH)-induced early fatty liver in mice. Methods: In vitro reduction of hydrogen peroxide by HRW was determined with a chemiluminescence system. Female mice were randomly divided into five groups…