Hydrogen Water Reduces Ovarian Cysts in PCOS Study
- Authors
- Mustafa Makav, Mushap Kuru, Sukran Yediel Aras, Ebru Karadag Sari, Menekse Bulut, Duried Alwazeer
- Journal
- Reproductive Biomedicine Online
- Year
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103332
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Turkey
- Health Condition
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Body System
- Reproductive
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water appears to improve symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in rats.
Key Finding
In rats with PCOS, hydrogen-rich water significantly reduced the number of ovarian cysts and decreased markers of oxidative stress (cellular damage) compared to untreated PCOS rats.
Summary
Researchers gave rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, a condition involving cysts on the ovaries) either regular water or hydrogen-rich water for an unspecified period. Rats that received hydrogen-rich water showed fewer ovarian cysts and lower levels of harmful molecules called malondialdehyde and the hormone testosterone compared to rats with PCOS that received regular water. The hydrogen-rich water group also had higher levels of glutathione, a natural antioxidant (a substance that protects cells from damage).
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen-rich water may help reduce cyst formation and oxidative damage associated with PCOS, but these findings cannot yet be applied to humans. Human clinical trials would be needed to determine whether hydrogen water has similar effects in people with PCOS.
Abstract
Research question: What is the effect of hydrogen-rich water on rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? Design: Female rats were divided into four groups, each consisting of eight animals. The control group received a carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) solution, the molecular hydrogen (H2) group was given hydrogen-rich water and a CMC solution, the PCOS group was administered letrozole dissolved in a CMC solution and the PCOS + H2 group was given hydrogen-rich water and letrozole dissolved in a CMC solution. Blood and tissue samples were then collected, and biochemical and histopathological analyses were conducted on the samples. Results: The histopathological analysis showed a reduction in the number of cysts in the PCOS + H2 group compared with the PCOS group (P < 0.0001). Additionally, the malondialdehyde, cortisol and testosterone data revealed a significant decrease in the PCOS + H2 group compared with the PCOS group (P = 0.0458, P = 0.0003, P = 0.0041, respectively). The glutathione also showed a statistically significant increase in the PCOS + H2 group compared with the PCOS group (P = 0.0012). Conclusion: The study findings demonstrate that hydrogen-rich water reduces the number of cysts and oxidative damage in rats with PCOS. Keywords: glutathione; hydrogen rich water; malondialdehyde; polycystic ovary syndrome; rats.