Hydrogen Water Reduces Fat Formation and Inflammation in Fat Cells
- Authors
- Li Xiao, Nobuhiko Miwa
- Journal
- Cells
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.3390/cells10030626
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Obesity
- Body System
- Endocrine
TL;DR
Drinking water filled with tiny hydrogen bubbles might help reduce harmful oxidative stress, inflammation, and fat cell growth in obesity-related conditions.
Key Finding
Hydrogen nano-bubble water reduced reactive oxygen species generation, fat cell growth, and inflammatory protein secretion in laboratory-stimulated human fat cells and tissue models.
Summary
This laboratory study tested whether water containing tiny hydrogen bubbles could reduce harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) in fat cells. Researchers used human fat cells and lab-grown fat tissue, then treated them with chemicals to trigger stress and inflammation. They found that hydrogen nano-bubble water reduced ROS levels, decreased fat cell growth, and lowered production of an inflammatory protein called interleukin-6 (IL-6). The water maintained its hydrogen bubbles even after months of storage.
Practical Takeaway
While these early laboratory results are promising, this study was conducted only in cells and tissue grown in dishes—not in living humans or animals. Much more research would be needed to determine whether hydrogen water would have similar effects in the human body. The findings suggest a potential mechanism worth investigating further, but cannot yet support any health claims.
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative stress in adipose tissue is associated with inflammation and the development of obesity-related metabolic disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of hydrogen nano-bubble water (HW) on ROS generation, adipogenesis, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated OP9 adipocytes, and three-dimensional (3D) subcutaneous adipose equivalents. Nanoparticle tracking analysis showed that fresh HW contains 1.17 × 108/mL of nano-sized hydrogen bubbles. Even after 8 to 13 months of storage, approximately half of the bubbles still remained in the water. CellROX® staining showed that HW could diminish H2O2- or PMA-induced intracellular ROS generation in human keratinocytes HaCaT and OP9 cells. We discovered that PMA could markedly increase lipid accumulation to 180% and IL-6 secretion 2.7-fold in OP9 adipocytes. Similarly, H2O2 (5 µM) also significantly stimulated lipid accumulation in OP9 cells and the 3D adipose equivalents. HW treatment significantly repressed H2O2- or PMA-induced lipid accumulation and IL-6 secretion in OP9 adipocytes and the 3D adipose equivalents. In conclusion, HW showed a possibility of repressing oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and adipogenesis at cellular/tissue levels. It can be used for preventing the development of metabolic disorders amongst obese people.