Hydrogen Water Protects Kidneys from Damage in Rats
- Authors
- Akira Mizutani, Amane Endo, Masahito Saito, Taichi Hara, Mayu Nakagawa, Koji Sakuraya, Yayoi Murano, Naoto Nishizaki, Daishi Hirano, Shuichiro Fujinaga, Yoshiyuki Ohtomo, Toshiaki Shimizu
- Journal
- Pediatric Research
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41390-021-01648-7
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Body System
- Urinary System
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water reduces kidney damage and scarring in rats with a specific type of kidney blockage by lowering harmful oxidative stress.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water reduced kidney scarring and oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules) in rats with blocked ureters, compared to rats given regular water.
Summary
Researchers gave rats with a blocked ureter (a tube that carries urine) either regular water or hydrogen-rich water for 2 weeks after surgery. They found that the hydrogen-rich water reduced harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species that damage kidney tissue, and it also reduced scarring (fibrosis) in the kidneys compared to regular water. This suggests hydrogen-rich water might help protect kidneys from injury caused by obstruction.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen-rich water may help protect kidneys from obstruction-related injury. However, these results are from rats only and have not been tested in humans, so it's too early to draw conclusions about whether this would work in people with kidney disease. More research, including human studies, would be needed before any health recommendations could be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Congenital obstructive nephropathy (CKD) is commonly implicated in the pathophysiology of chronic kidney disease occurring in the pediatric and adolescent age groups and the release of reactive oxygen species contribute to the worsening of renal fibrosis. Molecular hydrogen (H2)…