Hydrogen Dialysis Improves Immune Function in Kidney Disease Patients
Electrolysed-reduced water dialysate improves T-cell damage in end-stage renal disease patients with chronic haemodialysis
- Evidence type
- Uncontrolled trial (single-arm or pilot) · Human study
- Authors
- K.-C. Huang, S.-P. Hsu, C.-C. Yang, P. Ou-Yang, K.-T. Lee, S. Morisawa, K. Otsubo, C.-T. Chien
- Journal
- Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation
- Year
- 2010
- PMID
- 20190245
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 42
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Dose
- Electrolysed-reduced water dialysate for 1 year during chronic haemodialysis
- Duration
- 12 months
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 30 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Taiwan
TL;DR
Using antioxidant water for dialysis in patients with severe kidney disease improved their immune cells' health and function over a year.
Key Finding
After one year of treatment with electrolysed-reduced water dialysate, kidney disease patients showed significant decreases in T-cell death and restoration of immune cell numbers and function markers toward normal levels.
Summary
This study tested whether electrolysed-reduced water (water treated with electricity to add hydrogen) used in dialysis machines could help restore immune function in kidney disease patients. Over one year, 42 patients using this special dialysate showed reduced cell death in their T-cells (immune cells) and improvements in markers of immune health compared to their baseline condition, suggesting the antioxidant properties of the treated water may help counteract damage from the dialysis process.
Practical Takeaway
This human study suggests electrolysed-reduced water may help protect immune cells in dialysis patients by reducing oxidative stress, though the study lacked a control group receiving standard dialysate for direct comparison. The findings are promising but would need confirmation with a larger, controlled trial before clinical recommendations could be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: T-cell damage by increased oxidative stress in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing chronic haemodialysis (HD) led to the increased T-cell apoptosis and the alteration of surface markers and Th1/Th2 ratio in CD4(+) T lymphocytes. Antioxidant electrolysed-reduced water…