Hydrogen Water Shows Promise Against Colorectal Cancer in Mice
- Authors
- Fereshteh Asgharzadeh, Alex Tarnava, Asma Mostafapour, Majid Khazaei, Tyler W. LeBaron
- Journal
- World Journal of Gastrointestinal Oncology
- Year
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i1.242
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Iran
- Health Condition
- Colorectal Cancer
- Body System
- Digestive System
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) alone or combined with the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) may be a promising new treatment for colorectal cancer in mice.
Key Finding
In mice with colorectal cancer, hydrogen-rich water reduced tumor size and weight comparably to the chemotherapy drug 5-fluorouracil, and combining both treatments produced stronger tumor reduction.
Summary
Researchers tested hydrogen-rich water (water with dissolved hydrogen gas) as a potential treatment for colorectal cancer in mice. They compared it to 5-fluorouracil, a standard chemotherapy drug, and tested both separately and combined. Hydrogen-rich water alone reduced tumors similarly to the chemotherapy drug, and when combined together, they worked even better at shrinking tumors. The hydrogen-rich water also reduced cellular damage (oxidative stress) that the chemotherapy typically causes.
Practical Takeaway
While these early results in mice are interesting, this is a preliminary animal study and does not yet demonstrate that hydrogen-rich water would work the same way in humans with cancer. No human trials have been conducted. Anyone with colorectal cancer should discuss evidence-based treatment options with their oncologist rather than relying on hydrogen-rich water as a primary therapy.
Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Tumor removal remains the preferred frontline treatment; however, effective non-surgical interventions remain a high priority. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapy agent, and molecular hydrogen (H2) has been recognized for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, with research also suggesting its potential anti-tumor effects. Therefore, H2 dissolved in water [hydrogen-rich water (HRW)], with or without 5-FU, may present itself as a novel therapeutic for CRC. Aim: To investigate the effects of HRW, with or without 5-FU, as a novel therapeutic for CRC. Methods: CRC was induced in the left flank of inbred Balb/c mice. A total of 24 mice bearing tumors were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6 per group) and treated as follows: (1) Control group; (2) 5-FU group that received intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU (5 mg/kg) every other day; (3) H2 group that received HRW, created and delivered via dissolving the H2-generating tablet in the animals' drinking water, with 200 μL also delivered by oral gavage; and (4) The combination group, H2 (administered in same way as for group three) combined with 5-FU administered same way as group two. Results: Administration of HRW + 5-FU significantly improved tumor weight, tumor size, collagen content and fibrosis as compared to the CRC control group. Specifically, HRW attenuated oxidative stress (OS) and potentiated antioxidant activity (AA), whereas 5-FU treatment exacerbated OS and blunted AA. The combination of HRW + 5-FU significantly reduced tumor weight and size, as well as reduced collagen deposition and the degree of fibrosis, while further increasing OS and decreasing AA compared to administration of 5-FU alone. Conclusion: Administration of HRW, with or without 5-FU, may serve as a therapeutic for treating CRC.