Hydrogen Water Reduces Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms in Animal Study
Hydrogen-Rich Saline Ameliorates Allergic Rhinitis by Reversing the Imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Up-Regulation of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Regulatory T Cells, Interleukin-10, and Membrane-Bound Transforming Growth Factor-β in Guinea Pigs
Research hubs: Respiratory System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (guinea pig)
- Authors
- Feifei Xu, Shaoqing Yu, Mali Qin, Yong Mao, Ling Jin, Na Che, Shuangxi Liu, Rongming Ge
- Journal
- Inflammation
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 28894978
- Study Type
- Guinea Pig
- Participants
- 18
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- Hydrogen-rich saline injection for 10 days after sensitization
- Duration
- 10 days
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 42 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline helps reduce allergy symptoms in guinea pigs by boosting beneficial immune cells and balancing immune responses.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced allergic rhinitis symptoms in guinea pigs and increased the number and activity of regulatory T cells—immune cells that help suppress allergic responses.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich saline could help treat allergic rhinitis (a condition causing sneezing, runny nose, and nasal itching) in guinea pigs. They found that the hydrogen-rich saline reduced allergy symptoms and changed the animals' immune response by increasing special immune cells called regulatory T cells, which help calm down allergic reactions. The treatment also increased anti-inflammatory substances in the blood.
Practical Takeaway
This early animal study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help allergic rhinitis by boosting immune tolerance, but results from guinea pigs do not automatically translate to humans. Human clinical trials would be needed to determine whether this approach is safe and effective for people with allergies.
Abstract (excerpt)
It is well known that CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells play an important role in the development of allergic rhinitis (AR); the defect of cell numbers and functions contribute to AR. Hydrogen has been proven effective in alleviating symptoms of AR. We herein aim to verify the protective effects…