Hydrogen Water Protects Liver from Acetaminophen Damage in Mice
Hydrogen-rich water protects against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice
Research hubs: Digestive System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Jing-Yao Zhang
- Journal
- World Journal of Gastroenterology
- Year
- 2015
- PMID
- 25892869
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Dose
- HRW (same volume as NS control, 5 mL/kg body weight) administered intraperitoneally twice daily for 3 days after APAP injection
- Duration
- 5 days
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 42 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) significantly helps mice recover from liver damage caused by an overdose of acetaminophen, a common painkiller.
Key Finding
Mice treated with hydrogen-rich water after acetaminophen overdose had a 60% survival rate compared to 27% in untreated mice, along with significantly reduced liver damage markers and tissue injury.
Summary
Researchers gave mice acetaminophen (a common pain reliever) in doses that damage the liver, then treated some mice with hydrogen-rich water while others received regular water. Mice that received hydrogen-rich water had better survival rates, less liver damage, and lower levels of harmful substances in their blood compared to untreated mice. The hydrogen-rich water appeared to work by reducing harmful chemical reactions in liver cells and decreasing inflammation.
Practical Takeaway
This mouse study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help protect the liver from acetaminophen damage, but these results cannot yet be applied to humans. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before hydrogen-rich water could be considered a treatment for drug-induced liver injury.
Abstract (excerpt)
Aim: To investigate the hepatoprotective effects and mechanisms of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury in mice. Methods: Male mice were randomly divided into the following four groups: normal saline (NS) control group, mice received equivalent volumes of NS…