Hydrogen Water Protects Kidneys from Damage and Scarring in Mice
Hydrogen Rich Water Attenuates Renal Injury and Fibrosis by Regulation Transforming Growth Factor-β Induced Sirt1
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Zhaoyu Xing, Wanma Pan, Jing Zhang, Xianlin Xu, Xuemei Zhang, Xiaozhou He, Min Fan
- Journal
- Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 28458345
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 29 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water may help prevent kidney damage and scarring by blocking harmful cell changes.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water reduced kidney fibrosis (scarring) and prevented kidney cells from undergoing a damaging transformation in both mouse and cell models, an effect that depended on activation of a protein called Sirt1.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich water could prevent kidney damage and scarring in mice with blocked ureters (tubes that carry urine) and in human kidney cells treated with a protein that triggers scarring. Hydrogen-rich water reduced kidney scarring, preserved kidney function, and prevented kidney cells from transforming into scar-forming cells. The protective effect appeared to work through a protein called Sirt1.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal and cell study suggesting hydrogen water may help protect against kidney scarring, but human research is needed before any health claims can be made. The study does not tell us whether these effects would occur in people or at what doses.
Abstract (excerpt)
The current research was designed to study the role of hydrogen in renal fibrosis and the renal epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Hydrogen rich water (HW) was used to treat animal and cell models. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was…