Hydrogen Water Protects Kidneys from Chemotherapy Damage in Rats
Investigation of protective effect of hydrogen-rich water against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats using blood oxygenation level-dependent magnetic resonance imaging
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Taro Matsushita, Yoshinori Kusakabe, Akihiro Kitamura, Sakie Okada, Kenya Murase
- Journal
- Japanese Journal of Radiology
- Year
- 2011
- PMID
- 21882093
- Study Type
- Rat
- Participants
- 28
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Dose
- free access to hydrogen-rich water
- Duration
- 1 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 21 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water may protect rats from kidney damage caused by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, as shown by MRI scans.
Key Finding
Rats that drank hydrogen-rich water before receiving cisplatin chemotherapy showed significantly better kidney function markers and less kidney damage on imaging compared to rats that drank regular water.
Summary
Researchers gave rats a chemotherapy drug called cisplatin, which is known to damage the kidneys. Some rats drank regular water while others drank hydrogen-rich water (water with extra hydrogen gas dissolved in it). Using a special MRI imaging technique, the researchers found that rats drinking hydrogen-rich water showed better kidney function markers and less kidney damage compared to rats drinking regular water. The researchers believe hydrogen may work by reducing harmful oxygen molecules that damage cells.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen-rich water may help protect against chemotherapy-related kidney damage. However, this was only tested in rats, not humans, so it's unclear whether these results would apply to people. Anyone undergoing chemotherapy should discuss any supplements or special waters with their oncologist before use.
Abstract (excerpt)
The aim of this study was to assess the mechanism of the protective effect of hydrogen-rich water (HW) against cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity in rats using blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Apparent transverse relaxation time-weighted images (T2 WI)…