Hydrogen Water Treats Lung Disease in Pemphigus Patients
- Authors
- Chang Tang, Lanting Wang, Zihua Chen, Xiangguang Shi, Yahui Chen, Jin Yang, Haiqing Gao, Chenggong Guan, Shan He, Luyao Zhang, Shenyuan Zheng, Fanping Yang, Sheng-An Chen, Li Ma, Zhen Zhang, Ying Zhao, Qingmei Liu, Jiucun Wang, Xiaowqun Luo
- Journal
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Year
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.3390/ijms26094203
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Pemphigus
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen-rich water may help treat a serious lung condition linked to pemphigus, an autoimmune skin disease, by reducing inflammation and preventing scarring in the lungs.
Key Finding
In mice with pemphigus-associated lung disease, hydrogen-rich water significantly reduced oxidative stress, decreased lung inflammation, and prevented pulmonary fibrosis (lung scarring).
Summary
This study used mice to investigate how pemphigus-associated interstitial lung disease (a serious lung condition that can occur in pemphigus patients) develops and whether hydrogen water might help treat it. Researchers found that certain antibodies triggered lung inflammation and scarring in mice, and that hydrogen water reduced oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules), decreased inflammation, and prevented lung scarring.
Practical Takeaway
This is early, mouse-only research suggesting hydrogen water may have protective effects against a specific type of lung disease. However, these results cannot yet be applied to humans—much more research, including human clinical trials, would be needed before hydrogen water could be considered a treatment for this condition.
Abstract
Pemphigus-associated interstitial lung disease (P-ILD) is a severe complication observed in pemphigus patients that is characterized by pulmonary interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. This study investigated the role of anti-desmoglein (Dsg) 1/3 antibodies in P-ILD pathogenesis and evaluated the therapeutic potential of molecular hydrogen (H2). Using a BALB/cJGpt mouse model, we demonstrated that anti-Dsg 1 antibodies, but not anti-Dsg 3 antibodies, induced interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed IgG deposition in the alveolar epithelium, suggesting immune complex formation and epithelial damage. Gene expression analysis revealed elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-13) and upregulated pro-fibrotic markers (α-SMA, S100A4, TGF-β, and collagen genes) in P-ILD progression. Elevated oxidative stress and impaired ROS metabolism further implied the role of oxidative damage in disease pathogenesis. To assess H2's therapeutic potential, hydrogen-rich water was administered to P-ILD mice. H2 treatment significantly reduced oxidative stress, attenuated interstitial inflammation, and prevented pulmonary fibrosis. These protective effects were attributed to H2's antioxidant properties, which restored the pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance. Our findings underscore the critical role of anti-Dsg 1 antibodies and oxidative stress in P-ILD and highlight H2 as a promising therapeutic agent for mitigating anti-Dsg 1 antibody-induced lung injury.