Hydrogen Gas Prevents Depression-Like Symptoms in Mice Study
- Authors
- Minori Koga, Mayumi Sato, Ryuichi Nakagawa, Shinichi Tokuno, Fumiho Asai, Yuri Maezawa, Masanori Nagamine, Aihide Yoshino, Hiroyuki Toda
- Journal
- PCN Reports: Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences
- Year
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1002/pcn5.70000
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Depression
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Hydrogen treatment helped prevent a loss of interest in social interactions in mice with inflammation-induced depressive symptoms but didn't reduce overall depressive behavior.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas prevented inflammation-induced loss of interest and social withdrawal in mice, but did not reduce depressive-like behavior in a swimming test.
Summary
Researchers gave mice hydrogen gas or regular air for a week, then triggered inflammation-like symptoms using a bacterial compound. Mice that received hydrogen showed better social behavior and more spontaneous activity compared to those given air, but hydrogen did not improve performance on a depression-related swimming test. The study suggests hydrogen may protect against loss of interest and social withdrawal caused by inflammation, possibly by maintaining the barrier that protects the brain.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen may have selective effects on motivation and social behavior during inflammation, rather than broad antidepressant effects. Much more research—including human trials—would be needed before drawing any conclusions about hydrogen's potential for psychiatric symptoms in people. The study's small scope and animal-only design mean results cannot yet be applied to human health.
Abstract
Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of hydrogen in preventing and treating psychiatric symptoms, particularly depressed mood and loss of interest, and to explore its underlying mechanisms. A mouse model exhibiting inflammation-derived depressive symptoms was used for the investigation. Methods: Institute of Cancer Research mice were subjected to a 7-day intervention of either 30% hydrogen or 40 g per day of air via jelly intake. On the final day, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was intraperitoneally administered at 5 mg/kg to induce inflammation-related depressive symptoms. Behavioral and biochemical assessments were conducted 24 h post-LPS administration. Results: Following LPS administration, a decrease in spontaneous behavior was observed; however, this effect was mitigated in the group treated with hydrogen. The social interaction test revealed a significant reduction in interactions with unfamiliar mice in the LPS-treated group, whereas the hydrogen-treated group exhibited no such decrease. No significant changes were noted in the forced-swim test for either group. Additionally, the administration of LPS in the hydrogen group did not result in a decrease in zonula occludens-1, a biochemical marker associated with barrier function at the cerebrovascular barrier and expressed in tight junctions. Conclusion: Hydrogen administration demonstrated a preventive effect against the LPS-induced loss of interest, suggesting a potential role in symptom prevention. However, it did not exhibit a suppressive effect on depressive symptoms in this particular model. These findings highlight the nuanced impact of hydrogen in the context of inflammation-induced psychiatric symptoms, indicating potential avenues for further exploration and research.