Hydrogen Water Protects Immune System from Radiation Damage in Mice
- Authors
- Sanhu Zhao, Yanyong Yang, Wen Liu, Zhiqiang Xuan, Shouming Wu, Shunfei Yu, Ke Mei, Yijuan Huang, Pei Zhang, Jianming Cai, Jin Ni, Yaoxian Zhao
- Journal
- Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
- Year
- 2014
- DOI
- 10.1111/jcmm.12245
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Radiation Exposure
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
Hydrogen gas can protect the immune system of mice from damage caused by radiation exposure.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced radiation damage to the spleen and immune system in mice by decreasing harmful free radicals and preventing immune cell death.
Summary
Researchers gave mice hydrogen-rich saline before exposing them to radiation to see if it could protect their immune systems. The treatment reduced harmful molecules called free radicals, prevented immune cell death, and helped restore balance to important immune cells called T cells, suggesting hydrogen may help counteract radiation damage to the immune system.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research conducted only in mice, so it cannot yet be applied to human health. While the results suggest hydrogen may have radioprotective properties, human studies would be needed to determine if hydrogen water could offer similar benefits for people exposed to radiation.
Abstract (excerpt)
AbstractRecent studies showed that hydrogen can be used as an effective radioprotective agent through scavenging free radicals. This study was undertaken to evaluate the radioprotective effects of hydrogen on immune system in mice. H2 was dissolved in physiological saline using an apparatus…