Hydrogen Water Protects Against Radiation Damage in Mice
- Authors
- Yunhai Chuai, Jianliang Shen, Liren Qian, Yicun Wang, Yuecheng Huang, Fu Gao, Jianguo Cui, Jin Ni, Luqian Zhao, Shulin Liu, Xuejun Sun, Bailong Li, Jianming Cai
- Journal
- Medical Science Monitor
- Year
- 2012
- DOI
- 10.12659/msm.882513
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Radiation Exposure
- Body System
- Reproductive
TL;DR
Hydrogen gas dissolved in saline can help protect the production of sperm and blood cells in mice from damage caused by radiation.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline given before radiation exposure protected sperm production and blood cell formation in mice, suggesting hydrogen may help shield reproductive and blood-forming tissues from radiation damage.
Summary
Researchers gave mice hydrogen-rich saline (a salt solution containing dissolved hydrogen gas) before exposing them to radiation. They found that the hydrogen treatment protected two important systems: sperm production in the testes and blood cell production in the bone marrow. The protection appeared to work by reducing oxidative stress (cellular damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals).
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing hydrogen-rich saline may have radioprotective properties in mice. However, this was conducted only in animals, not humans, and the study does not yet demonstrate whether these effects would translate to people or apply to non-radiation contexts. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before drawing conclusions about practical health applications.
Abstract
Background: Recent studies show that molecular hydrogen (dihydrogen, H2) has potential as an effective and safe radioprotective agent through reducing oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate whether H2 is able to protect spermatogenesis and hematopoiesis from radiation-induced injuries. Material/methods: H2 was dissolved in physiological saline using an apparatus produced by our department. -60Co-gamma rays in the irradiation centre were used for irradiation. Spermatid head counts and histological analysis were used to evaluate spermatogenesis. Endogenous hematopoietic spleen colony formation (endoCFUs), bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC) and peripheral blood (PB) leukocytes were used to evaluate hemopoiesis. Results: This study demonstrates that treating mice with H2 before ionizing radiation (IR) can increase the spermatid head count and protect seminiferous epithelium from IR. This study also demonstrates that H2 could significantly increase the number of endoCFUs, BMNC and PB leukocyte. Conclusions: This study suggests that hydrogen-rich saline could partially protect spermatogenesis and hematopoiesis in irradiated mice.