Hydrogen Water Improves Kidney Function in Metabolic Syndrome Rats
- Authors
- Michio Hashimoto, Masanori Katakura, Toru Nabika, Yoko Tanabe, Shahdat Hossain, Satoru Tsuchikura, Osamu Shido
- Journal
- Medical Gas Research
- Year
- 2011
- DOI
- 10.1186/2045-9912-1-26
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Body System
- Renal
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water improved kidney health and reduced damage in rats with a condition similar to human metabolic syndrome.
Key Finding
Rats drinking hydrogen-rich water for 16 weeks showed significantly improved kidney function and reduced kidney damage compared to control rats, along with increased antioxidant capacity in their blood.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-rich water could help rats with metabolic syndrome (a condition involving obesity, high blood sugar, and kidney problems). Male rats with this condition drank hydrogen-rich water for 16 weeks while a control group drank regular water. The hydrogen-rich water group showed better kidney function, lower kidney damage, and higher antioxidant levels (substances that protect cells from damage) compared to the control group.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help protect kidneys in metabolic syndrome, but the findings cannot yet be applied to humans. Much larger human studies would be needed to determine if these benefits translate to people with metabolic syndrome or related conditions.
Abstract
Hydrogen (H2), a potent free radical scavenger, selectively reduces the hydroxyl radical, which is the most cytotoxic of the reactive oxygen species (ROS). An increase in oxygen free radicals induces oxidative stress, which is known to be involved in the development of metabolic syndrome. Therefore, we investigated whether hydrogen-rich water (HRW) affects metabolic abnormalities in the metabolic syndrome rat model, SHR.Cg-Leprcp/NDmcr (SHR-cp). Male SHR-cp rats (5 weeks old) were divided into 2 groups: an HRW group was given oral HRW for 16 weeks, and a control group was given distilled water. At the end of the experiment, each rat was placed in a metabolic cage for 24 h, fasted for 12 h, and anesthetized; the blood and kidneys were then collected. Sixteen weeks after HRW administration, the water intake and urine flow measured in the metabolic cages were significantly higher in the HRW group than in the control group. The urinary ratio of albumin to creatinine was significantly lower and creatinine clearance was higher in the HRW group than in the control group. After the 12-h fast, plasma urea nitrogen and creatinine in the HRW group were significantly lower than in the control group. The plasma total antioxidant capacity was significantly higher in the HRW group than in the control group. The glomerulosclerosis score for the HRW group was significantly lower than in the control group, and a significantly positive correlation was observed between this score and plasma urea nitrogen levels. The present findings suggest that HRW conferred significant benefits against abnormalities in the metabolic syndrome model rats, at least by preventing and ameliorating glomerulosclerosis and creatinine clearance.