Hydrogen Water Shows Promise for Rheumatoid Arthritis Lung Disease
- Authors
- Yasuhiro Terasaki, Mika Terasaki, Satoshi Kanazawa, Nariaki Kokuho, Hirokazu Urushiyama, Yusuke Kajimoto, Shinobu Kunugi, Motoyo Maruyama, Toshio Akimoto, Yoko Miura, Tsutomu Igarashi, Ikuroh Ohsawa, Akira Shimizu
- Journal
- Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1111/jcmm.14603
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Breathing in molecular hydrogen (H2) gas reduced lung damage in a mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis-associated lung disease.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-enriched water reduced lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice with a rheumatoid arthritis-related lung disease by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammatory markers.
Summary
Researchers used genetically modified mice that develop a lung disease similar to what occurs in rheumatoid arthritis patients. They gave some mice hydrogen-enriched water while others received regular water, then studied how the lungs developed over time. Mice that received hydrogen water showed less inflammation and scarring in their lungs, along with reduced levels of harmful molecules and inflammatory proteins compared to control mice.
Practical Takeaway
This early evidence from mice suggests hydrogen water may help protect against lung complications in rheumatoid arthritis, but this is a preliminary animal study. Human clinical trials would be needed to determine whether these results apply to people with the disease.
Abstract (excerpt)
Abstract Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)‐associated interstitial lung disease (ILD), a primary cause of mortality in patients with RA, has limited treatment options. A previously established RA model in D1CC transgenic mice aberrantly expressed major histocompatibility complex class II genes in joints…