Hydrogen Water Protects Eyes from UV Damage in Animal Study
- Authors
- Cestmir Cejka, Jan Kossl, Barbora Hermankova, Vladimir Holan, Sarka Kubinova, John H. Zhang, Jitka Cejkova
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Year
- 2017
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41598-017-18334-6
- Study Type
- Rabbit
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Czech Republic
- Health Condition
- Corneal Photodamage
- Body System
- Ocular
TL;DR
Breathing in molecular hydrogen gas can help reduce the damage and inflammation caused by UVB rays in rabbit eyes.
Key Finding
In a rabbit study, hydrogen-enriched liquid applied to UVB-damaged corneas suppressed oxidative stress and promoted clear healing, whereas untreated corneas developed scarring and abnormal blood vessel growth.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen gas dissolved in liquid could protect rabbit corneas (the clear front part of the eye) from damage caused by ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Researchers exposed rabbit corneas to UVB radiation and either treated them with hydrogen-enriched liquid or left them untreated. The treated corneas showed less oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules) and healed more clearly, while untreated corneas developed scarring and new blood vessel growth.
Practical Takeaway
This is a preliminary animal study that has been retracted, meaning the journal removed it due to concerns about reliability. While the results are interesting, they have not been verified by independent researchers or tested in humans. Anyone considering hydrogen water for eye health should consult an eye care professional and await human clinical evidence before drawing conclusions.
Abstract
Abstract The aim of this study is to examine whether molecular hydrogen (H 2 ) is able to reduce oxidative stress after corneal damage induced by UVB irradiation. We previously found that UVB irradiation of the cornea caused the imbalance between the antioxidant and prooxidant enzymes in the corneal epithelium, followed by the imbalance between metalloproteinases and their physiological inhibitors (imbalances in favour of prooxidants and metalloproteinases) contributing to oxidative stress and development of the intracorneal inflammation. Here we investigate the effect of H 2 dissolved in PBS in the concentration 0.5 ppm wt/vol, applied on rabbit corneas during UVB irradiation and healing (UVB doses 1.01 J/cm 2 once daily for four days). Some irradiated corneas remained untreated or buffer treated. In these corneas the oxidative stress appeared, followed by the excessive inflammation. Malondiladehyde and peroxynitrite expressions were present. The corneas healed with scar formation and neovascularization. In contrast, in H 2 treated irradiated corneas oxidative stress was suppressed and malondiladehyde and peroxynitrite expressions were absent. The corneas healed with the restoration of transparency. The study provides the first evidence of the role of H 2 in prevention of oxidative and nitrosative stress in UVB irradiated corneas, which may represent a novel prophylactic approach to corneal photodamage.