Hydrogen Gel Treats Gut Disease and Depression in Mice
- Authors
- Yaoyu Hu, Pengfei Zhu, Junwei Deng, Yi Yu, Qian Chen, Haitao Wu, Zhengbao Zha, Hua Wang, Yan Ma
- Journal
- ACS Nano
- Year
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1021/acsnano.5c03843
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Body System
- Gastrointestinal
TL;DR
An oral hydrogen-releasing gel eased both gut inflammation and anxiety in colitis by protecting the gut and calming the gut-brain axis.
Key Finding
In mice with colitis, an oral gel that releases hydrogen gas reduced intestinal inflammation, restored gut bacteria balance, and decreased anxiety and depression-like behaviors.
Summary
Researchers tested a gel containing magnesium diboride nanoparticles (tiny particles made from magnesium and boron) mixed with inulin (a plant fiber) in mice with colitis (intestinal inflammation). When the gel reached the intestines, it released hydrogen gas, which reduced harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, and boron that neutralized bacterial toxins. The gel also helped restore healthy gut bacteria and reduced anxiety and depression-like behaviors in the mice.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research in mice only, so results cannot yet be applied to humans with inflammatory bowel disease or mental health conditions. The study suggests hydrogen gas delivery through a gel formulation may be worth further investigation for treating both gut inflammation and mood symptoms, but human clinical trials would be needed to determine if this approach is safe and effective for people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Individuals diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) frequently encounter dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota and are predisposed to psychiatric comorbidities, such as depression and anxiety. The development of oral therapeutics that concurrently attenuate intestinal inflammation…