Hydrogen Therapy Protects Male Fertility from Smoking Damage in Mice
- Authors
- Shu Li, DanDan Lu, Yaling Zhang, Yi Zhang
- Journal
- Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
- Year
- 2014
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10815-013-0102-2
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Male Infertility
- Body System
- Reproductive System
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen-rich saline can reduce the harmful effects of nicotine on male reproductive health in mice, unlike traditional antioxidants like vitamin C and E.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced testicular oxidative stress and protected male reproductive function in nicotine-exposed mice more effectively than vitamin C or vitamin E.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich saline (a salt solution infused with hydrogen gas) could protect mouse testicles from damage caused by nicotine exposure. They compared hydrogen-rich saline to vitamin C and E, which are known antioxidants (substances that reduce harmful chemical reactions in the body). Hydrogen-rich saline was more effective than the vitamins at reducing oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) in the testicles and protecting reproductive function in nicotine-treated mice.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study in mice, not humans, so findings cannot yet be applied to people. While the results suggest hydrogen-rich saline may have potential as a protective treatment against nicotine-related reproductive damage, much more research—including human studies—would be needed before any health claims could be made. The study does not tell us whether hydrogen water (a consumer product) would have similar effects.
Abstract
The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that long-term treatment with hydrogen-rich saline abated testicular oxidative stress induced by nicotine in mice. The effects of hydrogen-rich saline (6 ml/kg, i.p.), vitamin C (60 mg/kg, i.p.) and vitamin E (100 mg/kg, i.p.) on reproductive system and testicular oxidative levels in nicotine-treated (4.5 mg/kg, s.b.) mice were investigated. It was found that vitamin C and vitamin E attenuated serum oxidative level, but did not lower testicular oxidative levels in mice subjected to chronic nicotine treatment, and did not improve the male reproductive damage and apoptosis induced by nicotine. Different from normal antioxidants, vitamin C and vitamin E, hydrogen-rich saline abated oxidative stress in testis, and protected against nicotine-induced male reproductive damages. Our results first demonstrated that long-term treatment with hydrogen-rich saline attenuated testicular oxidative level and improved male reproductive function in nicotine-treated mice.