Hydrogen Water Shows Promise for Multiple Sclerosis in Mouse Study
Hydrogen-Rich Saline Ameliorates Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in C57BL/6 Mice Via the Nrf2-ARE Signaling Pathway
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System · Immune System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Yaping Liu, Fuxing Dong, Rui Guo, Ying Zhang, Xuebin Qu, Xiuxiang Wu, Ruiqin Yao
- Journal
- Inflammation
- Year
- 2018
- PMID
- 30343391
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 24 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) can lessen the severity of a multiple sclerosis-like condition in mice by reducing inflammation, protecting nerve insulation, and combating oxidative stress.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced the severity of experimental multiple sclerosis-like disease in mice and decreased inflammation, nerve damage, and oxidative stress.
Summary
Researchers tested hydrogen-rich saline (salt water containing dissolved hydrogen gas) in mice with a disease that mimics multiple sclerosis, an inflammatory condition affecting the nervous system. The treatment reduced disease severity, decreased inflammation and nerve damage, and lowered oxidative stress (harmful chemical reactions in cells) by activating a protective cellular pathway called Nrf2-ARE.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research in mice only, so it cannot yet tell us whether hydrogen water would help people with multiple sclerosis. The study suggests hydrogen may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects worth investigating further in human trials, but much more research is needed before any health claims can be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that is associated with demyelination, neurodegeneration, and sensitivity to oxidative stress. Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) is efficacious in preventive and therapeutic applications for many disorders because…