Hydrogen Water Blocks Allergic Reactions by Stopping Mast Cell Activity
- Authors
- Tomohiro Itoh, Yasunori Fujita, Mikako Ito, Akio Masuda, Kinji Ohno, Masatoshi Ichihara, Toshio Kojima, Yoshinori Nozawa, Masafumi Ito
- Journal
- Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
- Year
- 2009
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.09.047
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Allergic Reactions
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water can reduce allergic reactions in mice by interfering with a specific allergy-related signaling process in cells, rather than just by eliminating harmful molecules.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water suppressed immediate allergic reactions in mice by blocking a specific signaling pathway in mast cells, rather than through its previously assumed free radical-scavenging mechanism.
Summary
Researchers found that hydrogen-rich water prevented allergic reactions in mice by interfering with how mast cells (immune cells that trigger allergies) communicate and release inflammatory chemicals. Using laboratory mast cells, they showed that hydrogen blocks a specific signaling pathway in these cells, reducing the production of reactive molecules that cause allergic symptoms. Interestingly, hydrogen appears to work by modulating cell signaling rather than simply neutralizing harmful free radicals, suggesting it may function similarly to other signaling molecules in the body.
Practical Takeaway
This animal study suggests hydrogen water may have potential for allergic conditions by targeting immune cell signaling pathways. However, this research was conducted in mice and laboratory cells, not humans, so it remains early-stage evidence. Human clinical trials would be needed to determine whether these findings translate to actual allergy relief in people.
Abstract
Molecular hydrogen ameliorates oxidative stress-associated diseases in animal models. We found that oral intake of hydrogen-rich water abolishes an immediate-type allergic reaction in mice. Using rat RBL-2H3 mast cells, we demonstrated that hydrogen attenuates phosphorylation of the FcεRI-associated Lyn and its downstream signal transduction, which subsequently inhibits the NADPH oxidase activity and reduces the generation of hydrogen peroxide. We also found that inhibition of NADPH oxidase attenuates phosphorylation of Lyn in mast cells, indicating the presence of a feed-forward loop that potentiates the allergic responses. Hydrogen accordingly inhibits all tested signaling molecule(s) in the loop. Hydrogen effects have been solely ascribed to exclusive removal of hydroxyl radical. In the immediate-type allergic reaction, hydrogen exerts its beneficial effect not by its radical scavenging activity but by modulating a specific signaling pathway. Effects of hydrogen in other diseases are possibly mediated by modulation of yet unidentified signaling pathways. Our studies also suggest that hydrogen is a gaseous signaling molecule like nitric oxide.