Hydrogen Water Shows Promise for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment
- Authors
- Ming Zhao, Ming-Dong Liu, Ying-Yan Pu, Dan Wang, Yu Xie, Gai-Ci Xue, Yong Jiang, Qian-Qian Yang, Xue-Jun Sun, Li Cao
- Journal
- Journal of Neuroimmunology
- Year
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2016.03.006
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water might delay and lessen the severity of multiple sclerosis-like symptoms in an animal model.
Key Finding
In mice with MS-like disease, hydrogen-rich water delayed symptom onset, reduced disease severity, and decreased immune-related damage to the brain and spinal cord when given either before or after disease started.
Summary
Researchers tested hydrogen-rich water on mice with a disease that mimics multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune condition that damages nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord. When given before or after disease onset, hydrogen-rich water delayed symptom appearance, reduced disease severity, and decreased immune cell damage to the nervous system. The treatment worked by reducing harmful immune cells without toxic side effects.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen-rich water may have potential for MS-related conditions, but results from mouse studies do not automatically translate to humans. No human trials have been conducted yet, so it is premature to consider this a treatment option for MS. More research, including human studies, would be needed before any health claims could be made.
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The high costs, inconvenient administration, and side effects of current Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs often lead to poor adherence to the long-term treatment of MS. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been reported to exhibit anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, and anti-cancer effects. In the present study, we explored the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on the progress of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model for MS. We found that prophylactic administration of both 0.36mM and 0.89mM HRW was able to delay EAE onset and reduce maximum clinical scores. Moreover, 0.89mM HRW also reduced disease severity, CNS infiltration, and demyelination when administered after the onset of disease. Furthermore, HRW treatment prevented infiltration of CD4(+) T lymphocytes into the CNS and inhibited Th17 cell development without affecting Th1 cell populations. Because HRW is non-toxic, inexpensive, easily administered, and can readily cross the blood-brain barrier, our experiments suggest that HRW may have great potential in the treatment of MS.