Hydrogen Water Protects Liver from Pesticide Damage in Rats
- Authors
- Zhi-Ming Xun, Fei Xie, Peng-Xiang Zhao, Meng-Yu Liu, Zhi-Yuan Li, Jian-Mei Song, Xian-Min Kong, Xue-Mei Ma, Xiao-Yang Li
- Journal
- Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine
- Year
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.26444/aaem/125504
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Hepatotoxicity
- Body System
- Hepatic
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water may help protect rat livers from damage caused by a common agricultural pesticide.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water reduced liver damage and restored antioxidant enzyme activity in rats exposed to chlorpyrifos, a widely used agricultural pesticide.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-rich water could protect rats' livers from damage caused by chlorpyrifos, a common agricultural pesticide. Rats that drank hydrogen-rich water for 8 weeks showed less liver damage, better liver function, and reduced signs of oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) compared to rats exposed to the pesticide alone. The researchers found that hydrogen water appeared to work by reducing harmful molecules and protecting the mitochondria (the energy-producing parts of cells).
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen water may have protective effects against pesticide-induced liver damage, but it is early-stage research in animals only. Human studies would be needed to determine whether these findings apply to people, and the practical relevance depends on typical pesticide exposure levels in real-world scenarios.
Abstract
Introduction: Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is a organophosphate insecticide widely used in agriculture with attendant adverse health outcomes. Chronic exposure to CPF induces oxidative stress and elicits harmful effects, including hepatic dysfunction. Molecular hydrogen has been identified as a novel antioxidant which could selectively scavenge hydroxyl radicals. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether the intake of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) could protect rats from hepatotoxicity caused by sub-chronic exposure to CPF. Material and methods: Rats were treated with hydrogen-rich water by oral intake for 8 weeks. Biochemical indicators of liver function, SOD and CAT activity, GSH and MDA levels were determined by the spectrophotometric method. Liver cell damage induced by CPF was evaluated by histopathological and electron microscopy analysis. PCR array analysis was performed to investigated the effects of molecular hydrogen on the regulation of oxidative stress related genes. Results: Both the hepatic function tests and histopathological analysis showed that the liver damage induced by CPF could be ameliorated by HRW intake. HRW intake also attenuated CPF induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by restored SOD activities and MDA levels. The results of PCR Array identified 12 oxidative stress-related genes differentially expressed after CPF exposure, 8 of chich, including the mitochondrial Sod2 gene, were significantly attenuated by HRW intake. The electron microscopy results indicated that the mitochondrial damage caused by CPF was alleviated after HRW treatment. Conclusions: The results obtained suggest that HRW intake can protect rats from CPF induced hepatotoxicity, and the oxidative stress signaling and the mitochondrial pathway may be involved in the protection of molecular hydrogen.