Hydrogen Water Protects Lungs from Chemical Damage in Mice
- Authors
- Chie Sato, Yoshito Kamijo, Kuniko Yoshimura, Taito Inagaki, Tatsuhiro Yamaya, Sadataka Asakuma, Masataka Majima, Yasushi Asari
- Journal
- Kitasato Medical Journal
- Year
- 2015
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen water might help prevent lung damage caused by chronic exposure to the toxic chemical paraquat.
Key Finding
Mice that drank hydrogen water while exposed to paraquat showed significantly lower lung stiffness and less inflammation and scarring compared to mice that drank regular water.
Summary
Researchers gave mice a toxic chemical called paraquat that damages the lungs by creating harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species. Some mice drank hydrogen water (water infused with hydrogen gas) while others drank regular tap water. After 3 weeks, the mice that drank hydrogen water showed less lung damage, inflammation, and scarring (fibrosis) compared to the control group, suggesting hydrogen water's antioxidant properties may help protect against this type of chemical injury.
Practical Takeaway
This study is limited to mice exposed to a specific toxic chemical, so results may not apply to humans or other types of lung disease. While the findings suggest hydrogen water may have protective antioxidant effects against paraquat-induced lung damage, much more research—including human studies—would be needed before any health recommendations could be made.
Abstract
Objective: Chronic paraquat (PQ) intoxication causes pulmonary fibrosis. PQ-induced pulmonary injury is caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are produced during the reduction-oxidation (redox) cycle. In addition, the hydrogen has antioxidative effects. The present study aimed to determine whether or not the intake of hydrogen water (HW) prevents pulmonary injury caused by chronic PQ intoxication. Methods: PQ was administered to 10-week-old male C57BL/6 mice, and the mice were randomly assigned to either the HW group (PQ + HW group) or the tap water group (PQ group). After 3 weeks, the mice were assessed for pneumodynamic and histologic changes. Results: Pneumodynamic analysis revealed that elastance (E) (P = 0.010) and hysteresivity (eta) (P = 0.048) were significantly lower in the PQ + HW group than that in the PQ group. Although no significant difference was observed in compliance, it tended to be higher in the PQ + HW group. Histologic findings showed that inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis were comparatively lower in the PQ + HW group. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that HW may prevent the development of PQinduced pulmonary injury.