Hydrogen Water Protects Kidneys from Chemo Drug Side Effects in Mice
Nephroprotective effect of electrolyzed reduced water against cisplatin-induced kidney toxicity and oxidative damage in mice
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Tse-Chou Cheng, Yu-Wen Hsu, Fung-Jou Lu, Ya-Yu Chen, Nu-Man Tsai, Wen-Kang Chen, Chia-Fang Tsai
- Journal
- Journal of the Chinese Medical Association
- Year
- 2018
- PMID
- 29030026
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Participants
- 40
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Dose
- ERW orally administered daily for 28 days
- Duration
- 4 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 19 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Taiwan
TL;DR
Drinking electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) helps protect mice from kidney damage caused by the cancer drug cisplatin.
Key Finding
Electrolyzed reduced water reduced kidney damage from cisplatin in mice by boosting the activity of protective antioxidant enzymes and decreasing markers of cellular damage.
Summary
This study tested whether electrolyzed reduced water (water treated with electricity to add hydrogen) could protect mouse kidneys from damage caused by cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug. Researchers gave some mice the special water daily while others received regular water, then exposed all mice to cisplatin. The mice that drank electrolyzed reduced water showed better kidney function, less kidney damage under a microscope, and higher levels of protective antioxidant enzymes (molecules that fight cellular damage) compared to mice that didn't receive it.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting electrolyzed reduced water may help protect kidneys from chemotherapy damage, but results from mouse studies do not automatically apply to humans. Anyone undergoing chemotherapy should discuss kidney protection strategies with their oncologist rather than self-treating with hydrogen water.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Cisplatin is a potent chemotherapeutic drug for cancer therapy, but it has serious side effects in clinical treatment, particularly nephrotoxicity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of electrolyzed reduced water (ERW) on renal injury caused by cisplatin…