Hydrogen Water Protects Stomach from Aspirin Damage in Rats
- Authors
- Jing-Yao Zhang
- Journal
- World Journal of Gastroenterology
- Year
- 2014
- DOI
- 10.3748/wjg.v20.i6.1614
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Aspirin-induced gastritis
- Body System
- Gastrointestinal
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) before taking aspirin can help protect rats from stomach damage caused by the aspirin.
Key Finding
In rats, hydrogen-rich water pretreatment reduced aspirin-induced stomach damage by roughly 50% and lowered multiple markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in stomach tissue.
Summary
Researchers gave rats aspirin (a common pain reliever) and found it damaged the stomach lining. When rats were pretreated with hydrogen-rich water, the stomach damage was significantly reduced. The hydrogen-rich water appeared to work by lowering harmful molecules called free radicals (oxidative stress), reducing inflammation, and decreasing a protein involved in stomach damage.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help protect against aspirin-related stomach damage, but this finding has not been tested in humans. Anyone taking aspirin regularly should consult their doctor about stomach protection strategies rather than relying on hydrogen water, which remains unproven in clinical use.
Abstract (excerpt)
To investigate the role of the hydrogen-rich water (HRW) in the prevention of aspirin-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats. Forty male rats were allocated into four groups: normal control group, HRW group, aspirin group, and HRW plus aspirin group. The protective efficacy was tested…