Hydrogen Water Failed to Protect Against Eye Disease in Mice Study
- Authors
- Qian Zhang, Ye Tao, Zuo-Ming Zhang
- Journal
- Life Sciences
- Year
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.lfs.2016.04.015
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Neutral
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Oxygen-Induced Retinopathy
- Body System
- Visual System
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) did not prevent abnormal blood vessel growth in a mouse model of retinal damage caused by high oxygen levels and may actually promote such growth in normal retinas.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline at the tested dose failed to prevent retinal damage and abnormally promoted blood vessel growth in normal retinal development.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich saline (a solution containing dissolved hydrogen gas) could protect against oxygen-induced retinopathy (abnormal blood vessel growth in the eye caused by excess oxygen) in mice. Contrary to expectations, the treatment did not reduce blood vessel leakage or abnormal vessel growth in the damaged retinas, and surprisingly, it actually increased abnormal blood vessel formation in normal, healthy retinas.
Practical Takeaway
This mouse study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may not be effective for oxygen-induced retinopathy and raises concerns about its safety in neonatal eye conditions. However, this is a single animal study, and results in mice do not always translate to humans; further research would be needed before drawing conclusions about hydrogen water use in people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Aims: Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) is a novel protection against various oxidative disorders and almost all types of inflammation. Moreover, its toxicity and side effects are rarely reported. We sought to clarify the protective effect of HRS against the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) in C57BL/6 J…