Hydrogen Water Helps Treat Eczema in Mice Study
- Authors
- Yang-Suk Yoon, Ma. Easter Joy Villarosa Sajo, Rosa Mistica Coles Ignacio, Soo-Ki Kim, Cheol-Su Kim, Kyu-Jae Lee
- Journal
- Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin
- Year
- 2014
- DOI
- 10.1248/bpb.b14-00220
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- South Korea
- Health Condition
- Atopic Dermatitis
- Body System
- Integumentary
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen water reduced skin allergy symptoms in mice by decreasing oxidative stress and immune system overreaction.
Key Finding
Hydrogen water reduced skin inflammation and symptoms in mice with chemically-induced atopic dermatitis by lowering reactive oxygen species and decreasing inflammatory immune markers including IL-5, TNF-α, IL-6, and serum IgE.
Summary
Researchers gave mice with a chemically-induced skin condition similar to eczema either hydrogen water or regular purified water to drink. The mice that drank hydrogen water showed improvement in their skin symptoms and had lower levels of harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species in their bodies. The hydrogen water also reduced inflammatory chemicals and immune responses that drive the skin condition, suggesting it may help by restoring balance to the body's defense system.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage mouse study suggests hydrogen water may help with eczema-like skin conditions by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, but human studies are needed to determine if these results apply to people. The study did not report sample size or duration, limiting how much we can conclude from these findings.
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronically relapsing, pruritic, eczematous skin disorder accompanying allergic inflammation. AD is triggered by oxidative stress and immune imbalance. In the present study, we investigated the effect of drinking hydrogen water (HW) on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice and found that HW ameliorated DNCB-induced AD-like clinical symptoms. In line with this, the level of reactive oxygen species in the HW group was significantly inhibited compared with that in the purified water (PW) group. In parallel, HW enhanced glutathione peroxidase activity in DNCB-induced AD as compared with the PW group. Accordingly, the levels of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine and cytokines were significantly decreased in the HW group compared with the PW group. Notably, the levels of Th2 cytokine, interleukin-5 (IL-5), and proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6 in HW-fed mice were significantly lower than in control and PW-fed mice. The total serum immunoglobulin E level was also markedly reduced in the HW group. The collective results indicate that HW suppresses DNCB-induced AD in NC/Nga mice via redox balance and immune modulation and could be a safe clinical fluid treatment for AD.