Hydrogen Water Prevents Heart Damage in Diabetic Rats on Metformin
- Authors
- Chuan Zhao, Yushu Guo, Ruoxi Wang, Cheng Cheng, Xiangmei Chen
- Journal
- The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.4196/kjpp.2021.25.6.517
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water may help diabetic rats on metformin avoid muscle damage and reduce harmful acid buildup in the blood when oxygen levels are low.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water reduced lactic acid accumulation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules) in diabetic rats treated with metformin under low-oxygen conditions, while also preventing damage to heart muscle tissue.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-rich water could help protect diabetic rats that were taking metformin and experiencing low oxygen conditions. Researchers found that rats given hydrogen-rich water had lower levels of lactic acid (a compound that can build up dangerously in the body) and showed less cellular damage and stress compared to rats that didn't receive it. The hydrogen-rich water also appeared to protect heart tissue from damage caused by low oxygen.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen-rich water may help prevent lactic acid buildup in diabetic patients on metformin who experience low oxygen—a serious but rare side effect. However, this was only tested in rats, and the study did not report how long the treatment lasted or other important details. Human clinical trials would be needed before any conclusions could be drawn for actual patients.
Abstract (excerpt)
The present study aims to investigate the impact of hydrogen-rich water on the lactic acid level in metformin-treated diabetic rats under hypoxia. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups, including normal diet group, and diabetes model (DM) group, DM + metformin treatment…