Hydrogen Water Reduces Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms in Animal Study
- Authors
- C. Zhao, S. Yu, J. Li, W. Xu, R. Ge
- Journal
- Allergologia et Immunopathologia
- Year
- 2017
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.aller.2016.10.007
- Study Type
- Guinea Pig
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) treatment reduced symptoms and inflammation markers in guinea pigs with allergic rhinitis.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline treatment significantly reduced allergic rhinitis symptoms and decreased IL-4 and IL-13 (inflammatory molecules) in guinea pig nasal tissue at both the genetic and protein levels.
Summary
Researchers created allergic rhinitis (a condition causing nasal inflammation and sneezing) in guinea pigs and tested whether hydrogen-rich saline could help. They found that guinea pigs treated with hydrogen-rich saline had fewer sneezing and scratching episodes, lower levels of immune molecules called IL-4 and IL-13 in their blood, and reduced expression of these same molecules in their nasal tissue compared to untreated allergic guinea pigs.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage animal research suggesting hydrogen-rich saline may help reduce allergic rhinitis inflammation by targeting specific immune pathways. However, this was only tested in guinea pigs, not humans, so it's unclear whether these results would apply to people with allergies. Much more research, including human studies, would be needed before any health recommendations could be made.
Abstract
Background: Medical gas hydrogen (H2) has a special role in airway inflammation; however, the effect of H2 on allergic rhinitis (AR) remains unclear. This study explored the possible roles of H2 on the pathogenesis of AR and observed the influences of H2 on cytokines IL-4 and IL-13. Methods: An AR guinea pig model was established by nasal ovalbumin sensitisation. Eighteen guinea pigs were divided into three groups, namely, saline control, AR-sensitised, and hydrogen-rich saline (HRS)-treated groups, with each group having six guinea pigs. The frequencies of sneezing and scratching were recorded. The IgE level and cytokine (IL-4 and IL-13) levels in the serum were measured. The expression levels of IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA and protein in the nasal mucosa were also determined by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. We also observed the infiltration of cytokine (IL-4 and IL-13) in nasal mucosa by immunofluorescence. Results: The frequencies of sneezing and scratching, as well as the levels of IgE, IL-4, and IL-13, in the serum were higher in the AR group than in the control group (p<0.01), whereas all these parameters were decreased significantly after HRS treatment (p<0.05). The expression levels of IL-4 and IL-13 mRNA and protein in the nasal mucosa were also lower in guinea pigs treated with HRS than those in the AR group (p<0.05). Conclusions: HRS could affect anti-inflammation in AR and decreased the expression of IL-4 and IL-13.