Hydrogen Therapy Protects Kidneys from Chemical Damage in Mice
Saturated hydrogen alleviates CCl <sub>4</sub> -induced acute kidney injury via JAK2/STAT3/p65 signaling
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Song Wu, Zheng Fang, Shujun Zhou
- Journal
- Journal of International Medical Research
- Year
- 2020
- PMID
- 31937177
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 6 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas can help protect mice's kidneys from damage caused by a harmful chemical.
Key Finding
In mice with chemically-induced kidney injury, treatment with hydrogen-saturated water reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory markers while improving measures of kidney function.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-saturated water could protect mouse kidneys from damage caused by a toxic chemical (CCl4). Mice treated with hydrogen-saturated water showed better kidney function, less cellular damage from oxidative stress (harmful chemical reactions), and reduced inflammation compared to untreated mice with kidney injury.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen water may have protective effects against certain types of kidney damage, but it was conducted only in mice and did not test human subjects. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before any health claims could be made about hydrogen water's effects on kidney health.
Abstract (excerpt)
Objectives This study assessed the protective effects of saturated hydrogen against CCl 4 -induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice, and investigated signaling pathways activated by exposure to saturated hydrogen. Methods A mouse model of CCl 4 -induced AKI was established; some mice were treated…