Hydrogen Water Improves Fatty Liver Disease in Animal Study
- Authors
- Xiao Zhai, Xiao Chen, Jiancan Lu, Yaping Zhang, Xuejun Sun, Qin Huang, Qijin Wang
- Journal
- Molecular Medicine Reports
- Year
- 2017
- DOI
- 10.3892/mmr.2017.6120
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
- Body System
- Hepatic
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich saline water can help improve fatty liver disease in rats by reducing harmful oxidative stress and regulating liver cell function.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced oxidative stress markers and activated liver proteins (PPARα and PPARγ) in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, leading to improved blood sugar control and reduced liver inflammation.
Summary
Researchers gave rats with fatty liver disease (caused by high blood sugar and high fat levels) hydrogen-rich saline—a salt solution containing dissolved hydrogen gas. The treatment reduced harmful molecules called free radicals in the liver, improved blood sugar control, and activated proteins that help regulate fat and glucose metabolism. The rats showed less liver damage and inflammation compared to untreated animals.
Practical Takeaway
This is early evidence from animal studies only, so results may not directly apply to humans. The study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help address fatty liver disease by reducing cellular damage, but human clinical trials would be needed to determine if this benefit translates to people. The study duration and sample size were not reported, limiting what we can conclude about long-term effectiveness.
Abstract
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) comprises a range of liver diseases, between steatosis and non‑alcoholic steatohepatitis and liver cirrhosis, which are closely associated with diabetes mellitus. Previous studies have indicated that oxidative stress is a key factor in the development of NAFLD. Molecular hydrogen (H2) may ameliorate oxidative stress injuries by selectively neutralizing peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radicals. The present study evaluated the effects of H2 on NAFLD in rats and concluded that H2‑rich saline had significant therapeutic effects on NAFLD induced by hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, as demonstrated by hematoxylin and eosin and terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase‑mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining. H2‑rich saline improved fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, and lowered the expression levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin‑1 beta, 3‑nitrotyrosine and 8‑hydroxy‑2'‑deoxyguanosine in the liver. In addition, the present study revealed that H2‑rich saline could significantly increase peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor (PPAR) α and PPARγ expression in hepatocytes. In conclusion, H2‑rich saline may significantly improve NAFLD, possibly by reducing oxidative stress and activating hepatic PPARα and PPARγ expression.