Preventive Effect of Hydrogen Water on the Development of Detrusor Overactivity in a Rat Model of Bladder Outlet Obstruction

Abstract:

Purpose: Bladder ischemia and oxidative stress contribute to the pathogenesis of bladder dysfunction caused by bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Molecular hydrogen (H2) reportedly acts as an effective antioxidant. We investigated whether oral ingestion of hydrogen water (H2-water) has a beneficial effect on bladder function in a rat model of BOO.

Materials and methods: H2-water was made by dissolving H2 gas in ordinary drinking water (OW) using a hydrogen water-producing apparatus. The BOO model was surgically induced in male rats. Rats with BOO were fed with H2-water or OW. On week 4 after surgery, cystometry was performed. Oxidative stress markers and bladder nerve growth factor (NGF) level were determined. Bladder tissues were processed for pharmacological studies and for histological analysis.

Results: The micturition interval and micturition volume significantly decreased in the BOO rats given OW. These decreases were significantly suppressed by oral ingestion of H2-water. Increased post-void residual volume in the BOO rats was significantly reduced by H2-water. BOO led to a significant increase in bladder weight, oxidative stress markers and NGF level. H2-water significantly suppressed these increases without affecting bladder weight. There was no significant difference in histological findings between the BOO rats given H2-water and OW. Decreased responses of detrusor muscle strips from the obstructed bladder to KCl, carbachol and electrical field stimulation were reversed by ingestion of H2-water. Conclusions: These results suggest that H2-water could ameliorate the bladder dysfunction secondary to BOO by attenuating oxidative stress.