Hydrogen Water Protects Heart from Radiation Damage in Animal Study
Regulation of microRNAs by molecular hydrogen contributes to the prevention of radiation-induced damage in the rat myocardium
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Branislav Kura, Barbora Kalocayova, Tyler W. LeBaron, Karel Frimmel, Jozef Buday, Juraj Surovy, Jan Slezak
- Journal
- Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry
- Year
- 2019
- PMID
- 30830529
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Dose
- molecular hydrogen-rich water (HRW)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 40 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Slovakia
TL;DR
Drinking water enriched with molecular hydrogen can help protect rat hearts from damage caused by radiation, possibly by influencing the levels of certain heart-related microRNAs.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water reduced radiation-induced heart damage in rats by regulating three specific microRNAs (miRNA-1, -15b, and -21) and lowering markers of oxidative stress and inflammation.
Summary
This rat study investigated how molecular hydrogen (a gas that can be dissolved in water) might protect heart tissue from radiation damage. Researchers found that when rats exposed to radiation drank hydrogen-rich water, it reduced harmful molecules and inflammation in the heart, and it also changed the activity of three specific microRNAs (tiny molecules that control gene expression) in ways that prevented heart damage like thickening and scarring.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study that identifies a potential mechanism for how hydrogen water might protect heart tissue from radiation. However, these findings are from rats only and have not been tested in humans, so it's too early to draw conclusions about whether hydrogen water would help people undergoing radiation therapy. More research, including human studies, would be needed to determine if this effect translates to clinical benefit.
Abstract (excerpt)
microRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a large class of post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. It has been estimated that miRNAs regulate up to 30% of the protein-coding genes in humans. They are implicated in many physiological and pathological processes, including those involved…