Hydrogen Therapy Reduced Itching in Mice
Molecular hydrogen reduces dermatitis-induced itch, diabetic itch and cholestatic itch by inhibiting spinal oxidative stress and synaptic plasticity via SIRT1-β-catenin pathway in mice
Research hubs: Skin & Dermatology System · Brain & Nervous System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Linlin Zhang, Fangshi Zhao, Yize Li, Zhenhua Song, Lingyue Hu, Yuanjie Li, Rui Zhang, Yonghao Yu, Guolin Wang, Chunyan Wang
- Journal
- Redox Biology
- Year
- 2025
- PMID
- 39752998
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 2% hydrogen gas inhalation and hydrogen-rich saline (5 mL/kg, intraperitoneal) injection
- H₂ concentration
- 2% H2 gas; 5 mL/kg hydrogen-rich saline
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 8 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Inhaling hydrogen gas or injecting hydrogen-rich saline can reduce chronic itching by protecting the spine from oxidative damage in mice.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen inhalation and injection reduced chronic itching in mice with dermatitis, diabetes, and cholestatic disease by decreasing spinal cord oxidative stress and restoring antioxidant enzyme activity.
Summary
Researchers tested whether molecular hydrogen (a gas that can be inhaled or injected into the body) could reduce chronic itching in mice with three different conditions: skin inflammation, diabetes, and liver disease. They found that hydrogen therapy reduced itching and decreased harmful molecules called free radicals in the spinal cord, while boosting the body's natural antioxidant defenses (proteins that protect cells from damage). The effect appeared to work through a specific cellular pathway involving proteins called SIRT1 and β-catenin.
Practical Takeaway
This mouse study suggests hydrogen therapy may help manage difficult-to-treat chronic itch by reducing cellular damage, but these results cannot yet be applied to humans. Further research in human subjects would be needed to determine whether hydrogen water or inhalation could provide similar benefits for people with chronic itching conditions.
Abstract (excerpt)
Chronic itch which is primarily associated with dermatologic, systemic, or metabolic disorders is often refractory to most current antipruritic medications, thus highlighting the need for improved therapies. Oxidative damage is a novel determinant of spinal pruriceptive sensitization and synaptic…