Hydrogen Water Affects Gut Immunity in Parasitic Infection in Mice
Effects of Electrolyzed Alkaline Reduced Water on Echinostoma hortense Infection and Immune Response in C57BL/6 Mice
Research hubs: Digestive System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Dong-Heui Kim, Young-Kun Deung, Dan Jin, Xu Feng Qi, Kwang-Yong Kim, Kyu-Jae Lee
- Journal
- Applied Microscopy
- Year
- 2008
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- South Korea
TL;DR
Drinking electrolyzed alkaline reduced water (ERW) seems to affect the immune response in mice infected with a parasitic worm, leading to fewer immune cells in the gut and slower worm expulsion.
Key Finding
Electrolyzed alkaline reduced water reduced goblet cells and mast cells in the intestines of infected mice, but paradoxically delayed the clearance of parasitic worms rather than helping eliminate them.
Summary
Researchers gave mice infected with a parasitic worm either regular water or electrolyzed alkaline reduced water (ERW)—water treated with electricity to reduce oxidation. They found that mice drinking ERW had fewer immune cells (goblet cells and mast cells) in their intestines compared to control mice, but surprisingly, the parasitic worms were actually cleared more slowly in the ERW group. The study suggests ERW affects local intestinal immunity rather than the body's overall immune system.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study in mice with a parasitic infection model, so findings cannot be directly applied to human health. The unexpected result—that reducing certain immune cells actually slowed parasite clearance—suggests ERW's effects on immunity are complex and not necessarily beneficial in all contexts. Much more research, including human studies, would be needed before drawing any conclusions about ERW's effects on immune health.
Abstract (excerpt)
To examine the effect of the electrolyzed alkaline reduced water (ERW) on animal immunity, by employing Echinostoma hortense that is a parasite in the small intestine, the immune response of C57BL/6 was examined. To C57BL/6 mice, Echinostoma hortense metacercaria 15 per animal was in oculate…