Hydrogen Therapy Protects Eyes from Age-Related Damage in Mice
- Authors
- Ruichan Li, Yanli Liu, Jing Xie, Xudong Huang, Li Zhang, Hua Liu, Lihua Li
- Journal
- Free Radical Biology and Medicine
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.02.005
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Retinal Senescence
- Body System
- Visual System
TL;DR
Hydrogen treatment may slow down aging in the retina by reducing oxidative stress and preserving retinal function in mice.
Key Finding
In mice with chemically-induced retinal damage, hydrogen water reduced oxidative stress markers, prevented retinal thinning, and preserved light-detection ability by activating a protective protein called Sirt3.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen water could protect mouse eyes from damage caused by oxidative stress (harmful molecules that accumulate in cells). Researchers gave some mice a chemical that damages the retina (the light-sensitive part of the eye) and treated them with hydrogen water. Hydrogen water reduced harmful molecules in the retina, prevented the retina from thinning, and preserved the eye's ability to detect light—suggesting hydrogen may protect against age-related vision loss.
Practical Takeaway
This is early evidence from mouse studies only, so it cannot yet be applied to human health. The study suggests hydrogen water may have protective effects against oxidative stress in the eye, but human trials would be needed to determine if these benefits translate to people or if hydrogen water could help prevent age-related vision problems.
Abstract (excerpt)
Hydrogen possesses antioxidative effects and cures numerous types of ophthalmopathy, but the mechanism of hydrogen on ROS-induced retinal senescence remains elusive. In this study, retinal morphology revealed that hydrogen reduced the number and size of vitreous black deposits in Bruch's membrane…