Hydrogen Saline Prevents Cataracts in Rats by Fighting Oxidative Stress
- Authors
- Chun-Xiao Yang, Hong Yan, Tian-Bing Ding
- Journal
- Molecular Vision
- Year
- 2013
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Cataracts
- Body System
- Visual System
TL;DR
Hydrogen saline treatment can help prevent cataracts in rats by boosting the eye's natural antioxidant defenses.
Key Finding
Hydrogen saline treatment significantly reduced cataract development in rats exposed to a cataract-causing chemical, with the protective effect linked to enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and reduced oxidative stress markers.
Summary
Researchers gave young rats a chemical that causes cataracts (clouding of the lens), then treated some of them with hydrogen saline (salt water containing dissolved hydrogen gas). Rats that received hydrogen saline developed less clouding than untreated rats. The hydrogen saline appeared to work by boosting the rats' natural antioxidant defenses (molecules that protect cells from damage) and reducing harmful oxidative stress in the lens.
Practical Takeaway
This is early animal-only research showing hydrogen saline may help prevent cataracts caused by oxidative stress in rats. Much more research—including human studies—would be needed before any conclusions about hydrogen water and cataract prevention in people could be drawn. The findings are interesting but do not yet support health claims for consumers.
Abstract (excerpt)
The aim of this study was to investigate the potential antioxidative effect and mechanism for the protective effects of hydrogen saline on selenite-induced cataract in rats. Sprague-Dawley rat pups were divided into the following groups: control (Group A), selenite induced (Group B), and selenite…