Hydrogen Therapy Shows Promise for Type 2 Diabetes in Rats
- Authors
- Yi Ming, Qi-Hang Ma, Xin-Li Han, Hong-Yan Li
- Journal
- Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
- Year
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.3892/etm.2020.8708
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Body System
- Endocrine
TL;DR
Breathing in molecular hydrogen helped improve diabetes and reduce related damage in rats.
Summary
Researchers tested the effects of molecular hydrogen on rats with type 2 diabetes and found that it lowered their blood sugar levels, boosted their body's production of a key sugar-storing substance in the liver, and improved their body's response to insulin. The treatment also increased the levels of a protective antioxidant enzyme while decreasing a harmful oxidative substance, suggesting reduced stress on the body's cells. Additionally, the hydrogen treatment seemed to help prevent damage to the rats' pancreas and kidneys, likely by interfering with a specific inflammation-related pathway in the body.
Abstract (excerpt)
The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of molecular hydrogen on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rats. Following maintenance on a high-fat diet for 4 weeks, a T2DM model was established using an injection of 30 mg/kg streptozotocin via the caudal vein…