Hydrogen Water Reduces Stress Effects in Crowded Rats
- Authors
- Buket Boga Kuru, Mustafa Makav, Mushap Kuru, Sukran Yediel Aras, Ebru Karadag Sari, Menekse Bulut, Duried Alwazeer, Fikret Bektasoglu, Mukremin Olmez, Turgut Kirmizibayrak, Tyler W. LeBaron
- Journal
- Veterinary Medicine and Science
- Year
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1002/vms3.70305
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Turkey
- Health Condition
- Chronic Stress
- Body System
- Endocrine
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water improved growth and reduced stress-related changes in rats living in cramped conditions.
Key Finding
Rats exposed to stress while drinking hydrogen-rich water showed reduced oxidative stress markers and more normalized stress-related hormones compared to stressed rats drinking regular water.
Summary
Researchers gave rats hydrogen-rich water (water infused with hydrogen gas) while exposing some of them to stress from overcrowded housing conditions. Over three months, rats that drank hydrogen-rich water and experienced stress showed better weight gain, lower markers of cellular damage (oxidative stress), and more normal hormone levels compared to stressed rats drinking regular water. The study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help the body cope with stress-related changes.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help counteract some stress-related changes in the body, but it's important to note this is animal research only—human studies are needed to determine if these effects apply to people. The practical relevance for human health remains unclear at this stage.
Abstract
Objectives: This study investigated the impact of drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on growth performance, organ weights, thiol/disulphide homeostasis, oxidative status and some hormonal, histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in rats fed in a restricted housing environment. Methods: The eight groups (each group [male/female] eight rats) comprised two control, two hydrogen, two stress and two stress + hydrogen. All animals were given feed and water ad libitum for 3 months. Control and HRW group rats were calculated according to weight and housed according to the Guide's housing condition. The stress group and stress + HRW group were housed in half the area of the Guide's housing condition according to their weight. The animal's weekly body weights were measured throughout the study. The animals were sacrificed in accordance with ethical rules. Then, biochemical analyses were performed on thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), cortisol, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcium (Ca2+), total thiol (TT), native thiol (NT), disulphide, disulphide/TT × 100, disulphide/NT × 100 and NT/TT × 100, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH). Haematoxylin staining for histopathological and SOD-2 immunoreactivity was also assessed. Results: Results showed that live weight gain was higher in the HRW groups than in the stress group. Oxidant status in biochemical analyses decreased in the stress + HRW group compared to the stress group. TSH decreased in the stress group. FT4, cortisol and Ca2+ increased in the stress group. Conclusions: The stress-related physiological parameters were reduced in the HRW + stress group compared to the stress group. HRW could be suggested when the organism is found in stressful conditions.