Hydrogen Water Protects Against Hearing Loss in Mice Study
- Authors
- Akinori Kashio, Chikako Yamada, Kazuo Yasuhara, Teru Kamogashira, Shinichi Someya, Tatsuya Yamasoba
- Journal
- Hearing Research
- Year
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.heares.2022.108678
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Sensorineural Hearing Loss
- Body System
- Auditory
TL;DR
Antioxidants like taurine, coenzyme Q10, and hydrogen-rich water may help prevent hearing loss caused by mitochondrial damage in mice.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water, along with taurine and coenzyme Q10, prevented hearing loss and inner ear damage in mice exposed to a toxic substance that harms mitochondria.
Summary
Researchers exposed mice to germanium dioxide, a toxic substance that damaged the inner ear and caused hearing loss by harming mitochondria (the energy-producing structures in cells). When mice were given taurine, coenzyme Q10, or hydrogen-rich water as supplements, these treatments reduced the inner ear damage and prevented the hearing loss. The results suggest that antioxidant supplements might help protect hearing by supporting mitochondrial health.
Practical Takeaway
This mouse study suggests hydrogen water may help protect hearing by supporting mitochondrial function, but this is very early evidence from animal research only. Human studies would be needed to determine if these findings apply to people or if hydrogen water could help prevent age-related hearing loss.
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction has been implicated in numerous common diseases as well as aging and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). In the current study, we showed that supplementation with germanium dioxide (GeO2) in CBA/J mice resulted in SNHL due to the degeneration of the stria vascularis and spiral ganglion, which were associated with down-regulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain associated genes and up-regulation in apoptosis associated genes in the cochlea. Supplementation with taurine, coenzyme Q10, or hydrogen-rich water, attenuated the cochlear degeneration and associated SNHL induced by GeO2. These results suggest that daily supplements or consumption of antioxidants, such as taurine, coenzyme Q10, and hydrogen-rich water, may be a promising intervention to slow SNHL associated with mitochondrial dysfunction.