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
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 studies have reported that oxidative stress and poly(ADP‑ribose) polymerase‑1 (PARP‑1) may be unifying factors for hyperglycemic injury. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of hydrogen‑rich medium (HM) on high glucose (HG)‑mediated oxidative stress, PARP‑1 activation and the apoptosis of Schwann cells (SCs) in vitro. The cells were divided into different groups, and were treated for 48 h. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated using Cell Counting kit‑8 and annexin V/propidium iodide assays, respectively. The concentrations of 8‑hydroxy‑2‑deoxyguanosine (8‑OHdG) and peroxynitrite (ONOO‑) were detected using an enzyme‑linked immunosorbent assay. The presence of intracellular oxygen free radicals was confirmed using flow cytometric analysis. Colorimetric assays were performed to determine the activity of caspase‑3, and western blotting was performed to detect the protein expression levels of PARP‑1, cleaved PARP‑1, PAR, apoptosis‑inducing factor (AIF), B‑cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‑2) and Bcl‑2‑associated X protein. HG was found to induce severe oxidative stress and promote the caspase‑dependent and caspase‑independent apoptosis of SCs. Treatment with HM inhibited HG‑induced oxidative stress by suppressing hydroxyl and ONOO‑ production, levels of 8‑OHdG, caspase‑3 activity and apoptosis in the SCs. Furthermore, treatment with HM downregulated the HG‑induced release of PAR, the activation of PARP‑1 and nuclear translocation of AIF, and upregulated the expression of Bcl‑2 in the SCs. These results indicated that HM inhibited the HG‑induced‑oxidative stress‑associated caspase‑dependent and caspase‑independent apoptotic pathways in SCs. Therefore, HM may have potential as a treatment for DPN.