Hydrogen Water Protects Against Fatty Liver Disease in Mice
- Authors
- Shao-Wei Li, Terumi Takahara, Weitao Que, Masayuki Fujino, Wen-Zhi Guo, Shin-Ichi Hirano, Li-Ping Ye, Xiao-Kang Li
- Journal
- American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1152/ajpgi.00158.2020
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
- Body System
- Hepatic
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water helped reduce liver damage and fat buildup in mice with a disease similar to human fatty liver disease.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water reduced liver damage, inflammation, fat buildup, and scarring in mice with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, possibly by activating protective cellular pathways.
Summary
Researchers gave mice with fatty liver disease (a condition where fat builds up in liver cells) hydrogen-rich water to drink over several weeks. Compared to mice that didn't receive the hydrogen water, treated mice showed less liver damage, lower inflammation markers, reduced fat accumulation in the liver, and less scarring. The study suggests hydrogen may work by activating protective pathways in liver cells that reduce cell death and inflammation.
Practical Takeaway
This mouse study provides early evidence that hydrogen-rich water may help protect against fatty liver disease progression, but human studies are needed to determine if these results apply to people. The specific doses, duration of treatment, and long-term effects remain unclear from this research.
Abstract
The mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines in the HRW group was lower than in the CSAA group. HRW reversed hepatocyte apoptosis as well as hepatic inflammation and fibrosis in NASH specimens. Molecular hydrogen inhibits LPS-induced inflammation via an HO-1/IL-10-independent pathway. HRW improved hepatic steatosis in the CSAA + HRW group. Sirt1 induction by molecular hydrogen via the HO-1/AMPK/PPARα/PPARγ pathway suppresses palmitate-mediated abnormal fat metabolism.