Hydrogen Water Helps Prevent Lung Disease in Newborn Rats
- Authors
- Yukako Muramatsu, Mikako Ito, Takahiro Oshima, Seiji Kojima, Kinji Ohno
- Journal
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Year
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1002/ppul.23386
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water helped prevent lung damage in a rat model of a newborn lung disease called bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).
Key Finding
In a rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, hydrogen-rich water consumed during pregnancy reduced lung damage, decreased inflammatory markers, and normalized abnormal lung tissue enlargement in newborns exposed to bacterial toxins.
Summary
Researchers created a rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (a lung development disorder in newborns caused by inflammation) by exposing fetuses to a bacterial toxin. Pregnant rats that drank hydrogen-rich water showed protection against lung damage in their offspring. Hydrogen reduced markers of cellular damage, lowered inflammatory proteins, and helped restore normal lung structure in the newborn rats.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen-rich water may help protect against a specific type of lung injury in newborns. However, results from rat studies do not automatically translate to humans, and no human trials have tested this approach. Much more research, including human studies, would be needed before hydrogen-rich water could be considered a treatment for this condition.
Abstract (excerpt)
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is characterized by developmental arrest of the alveolar tissue. Oxidative stress is causally associated with development of BPD. The effects of hydrogen have been reported in a wide range of disease models and human diseases especially caused by oxidative stress…