Hydrogen Water Protects Developing Babies from Dehydration Stress

Authors
Journal
Medical Gas Research
Year
DOI
10.4103/2045-9912.241064
Study Type
Rat
Outcome
Positive
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
China
Health Condition
Fetal Growth Retardation
Body System
Reproductive

TL;DR

Drinking hydrogen-rich water helps reduce stress and damage to the placenta caused by not drinking enough water during pregnancy in rats.

Key Finding

In pregnant rats with restricted water access, hydrogen-rich water supplementation improved placental structure and efficiency while reducing oxidative stress markers compared to water restriction alone.

Summary

This study examined whether hydrogen-rich water could protect developing rat fetuses from the harmful effects of maternal dehydration. Pregnant rats were divided into three groups: one with normal water access, one with restricted water access, and one with restricted water access but given hydrogen-rich water to drink. The researchers found that water restriction reduced fetal weight and caused damage to the placenta (the organ that nourishes the fetus), but hydrogen-rich water supplementation improved placental structure and reduced markers of cellular damage caused by oxidative stress (harmful chemical reactions in cells).

Practical Takeaway

This is an early-stage animal study in rats, so results cannot be directly applied to humans. While the findings suggest hydrogen-rich water may help protect against dehydration-related placental damage, human studies would be needed to determine if this applies to pregnant women. The study does not provide evidence that hydrogen-rich water offers benefits beyond maintaining normal hydration in humans.

Abstract

Dehydration is one of the intrauterine abnormalities that could lead to fetal growth retardation and to increase the risk of a variety of adult diseases later in life. This study were to determine the impact of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) supplementation on placental angiotensin II type 1 receptor and placental oxidative stress induced by water restriction. Pregnant Wistar rat were randomly assigned to one of the three groups (n =12 per group). In control group, pure water and food were supplied ad libitum. Water restriction group and HRW group were respectively given pure water and HRW with free access to food, excepting only one hour was available for drinking from day 7 to day 17 of pregnancy. The placental damages and biomarkers of stress were detected by histopathology, immunohistochemistry and western blot, as well as serological test were performed. We demonstrated that maternal water restriction resulted in reduced urine volume and increased serum osmotic pressure, along with decreased fetus weight and crown-rump length. Although placental weight and the number of fetuses had no significant difference among groups, the placental efficiency significantly increased after the oral administration of HRW to the mothers. Meanwhile, the serological derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites decreased, a significant improvement of placental microstructure with more developed junctional zone and denser labyrinth was manifested, the upregulated expression of angiotensin II type 1 receptor, nuclear factoκB, malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase and down-regulation of superoxide dismutase were revealed in the placenta. Collectively, HRW administration is able to effectively attenuate placental stress induced by water restriction.