Hydrogen Water Protects Brain from Stroke Damage in Hypertensive Rats
- Authors
- Satoru Takeuchi, Kimihiro Nagatani, Naoki Otani, Hiroshi Nawashiro, Takashi Sugawara, Kojiro Wada, Kentaro Mori
- Journal
- BMC Neuroscience
- Year
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12868-015-0165-3
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Hypertension
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water may improve brain function and reduce brain damage in a rat model of stroke by decreasing oxidative stress and harmful enzyme activity.
Key Finding
Rats that drank hydrogen-rich water showed improved neurological function and reduced brain bleeding and infarcts (dead tissue from blocked blood flow) compared to control rats, possibly through reduced oxidative stress in the brain.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-rich water could protect the brains of rats bred to be prone to strokes and high blood pressure. Rats drinking hydrogen-rich water showed better neurological function and less brain bleeding and damage compared to rats drinking regular water. The researchers found that hydrogen appeared to work by reducing harmful molecules called free radicals and lowering activity of a protein (MMP-9) that damages the barrier protecting the brain.
Practical Takeaway
While this rat study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help protect brain function in high-blood-pressure conditions, these results cannot yet be applied to humans. Human studies would be needed to determine if hydrogen water offers similar benefits for stroke prevention or brain protection in people with hypertension.
Abstract (excerpt)
Enhanced oxidative stress occurs in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats (SHRSP), and is important in blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Hydrogen can exert potent protective cellular effects via reduction in oxidative stress in various diseases. The present study investigated whether…