Hydrogen Therapy Protects Nerve Cells from Diabetic Damage
- Authors
- YANG YU, XIAOYE MA, TAO YANG, BO LI, KELIANG XIE, DAQUAN LIU, GUOLIN WANG, YONGHAO YU
- Journal
- Molecular Medicine Reports
- Year
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.3892/mmr.2015.3874
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
A hydrogen-rich solution may help protect nerve cells from damage caused by high blood sugar in diabetes.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich medium reduced high glucose-induced cell death and oxidative stress in Schwann cells by suppressing multiple pathways that trigger cell death.
Summary
This laboratory study examined whether hydrogen-rich water could protect nerve support cells (called Schwann cells) from damage caused by high glucose levels, which is relevant to diabetic nerve damage. Researchers exposed these cells to high glucose conditions and treated some with hydrogen-rich medium. They found that hydrogen-rich medium reduced oxidative stress (harmful chemical reactions in cells), decreased cell death, and activated protective pathways in the cells.
Practical Takeaway
While this early laboratory study suggests hydrogen may have protective effects against the type of cellular damage seen in diabetic nerve disease, it was conducted only in cells grown in a dish, not in living organisms or humans. Much more research would be needed to determine if hydrogen water could actually help people with diabetic nerve damage.
Abstract (excerpt)
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is considered to be one of the most prevalent and life threatening microvascular diabetic complications. DPN affects up to 50% of patients with diabetes mellitus and there are currently no efficacious therapeutic strategies available for its treatment. Previous…