Hydrogen Water Shows Anti-Aging Effects on Blood Vessel Cells
- Authors
- Fumihiko Hara, Junko Tatebe, Ippei Watanabe, Junichi Yamazaki, Takanori Ikeda, Toshisuke Morita
- Journal
- Circulation Journal
- Year
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1253/circj.CJ-16-0227
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Cellular Senescence
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Drinking water with added hydrogen gas may help prevent aging in blood vessels due to its lasting antioxidant effects.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen protected human blood vessel cells from aging damage through a cellular pathway called Nrf2, with protective effects persisting even after the hydrogen was no longer detectable in the medium.
Summary
This laboratory study examined how molecular hydrogen (H2, a gas dissolved in water) affects aging in human blood vessel cells. Researchers exposed cells to a toxic chemical to trigger aging, then compared cells grown in regular medium to those in hydrogen-rich medium. Cells treated with hydrogen showed less damage, maintained better cellular energy, and resisted aging markers—even after the hydrogen had dissipated from the medium.
Practical Takeaway
This is a cell-culture study, not human research, so it cannot directly prove that hydrogen water provides anti-aging benefits in people. The findings suggest hydrogen may have protective effects on blood vessel cells, but much more research—including human trials—would be needed before claiming hydrogen water is an effective anti-aging drink.
Abstract
Background: Substantial evidence indicates that molecular hydrogen (H2) has beneficial vascular effects because of its antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, hydrogen-rich water may prove to be an effective anti-aging drink. This study examined the effects of H2on endothelial senescence and clarified the mechanisms involved. Methods and results: Hydrogen-rich medium was produced by a high-purity hydrogen gas generator. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were incubated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) for various time periods in normal or hydrogen-rich medium. The baseline H2concentration in hydrogen-rich medium was 0.55±0.07 mmol/L. This concentration gradually decreased, and H2was almost undetectable in medium after 12 h. At 24 h after TCDD exposure, HUVECs treated with TCDD exhibited increased 8OHdG and acetyl-p53 expression, decreased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+))/NADH ratio, impaired Sirt1 activity, and enhanced senescence-associated β-galactosidase. However, HUVECs incubated in hydrogen-rich medium did not exhibit these TCDD-induced changes accompanying Nrf2 activation, which was observed even after H2was undetectable in the medium. Chrysin, an inhibitor of Nrf2, abolished the protective effects of H2on HUVECs. Conclusions: H2has long-lasting antioxidant and anti-aging effects on vascular endothelial cells through the Nrf2 pathway, even after transient exposure to H2. Hydrogen-rich water may thus be a functional drink that increases longevity. (Circ J 2016; 80: 2037-2046).