Hydrogen Coral Calcium Protects Against Stomach Ulcers in Mice
- Authors
- Hung-Tsung Wu, Ming-Tsung Hsieh, Horng-Yih Ou, Ting-Hsing Chao, Liang-Miin Tsai
- Journal
- Drug Design, Development and Therapy
- Year
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.2147/DDDT.S555188
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Taiwan
- Health Condition
- Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Body System
- Digestive
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich coral calcium (HRCC) reduced ulcer severity, inflammation, and oxidative stress in a mouse model of peptic ulcer disease, suggesting its potential as a safe gastroprotective alternative to conventional drugs.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich coral calcium reduced ulcer severity and decreased inflammatory markers while increasing antioxidant enzyme levels in mice with induced peptic ulcers.
Summary
Researchers tested a supplement called hydrogen-rich coral calcium (HRCC) in mice with artificially induced stomach ulcers to see if it could reduce ulcer damage. The treatment reduced ulcer severity, lowered inflammation-promoting molecules in the stomach, and increased the body's natural antioxidant (damage-fighting) enzymes. These results suggest HRCC may help protect the stomach lining, though this was only tested in mice, not humans.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage animal study suggests HRCC may have stomach-protective properties, but it's important to note this research was only conducted in mice. Much more research, including human studies, would be needed before drawing any conclusions about whether HRCC could help people with ulcers. Anyone with peptic ulcer disease should continue working with their doctor rather than relying on unproven supplements.
Abstract
Introduction: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD), including gastric and duodenal ulcers, is primarily caused by Helicobacter pylori infection and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, with additional contributors like stress, certain foods, and alcohol. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are effective but with adverse effects, prompting the exploration of alternative therapies. Hydrogen-rich coral calcium (HRCC) is a novel antioxidative agent that exerted anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities; however, the effects of HRCC on PUD were still obscure. Methods: The gastroprotective effects of HRCC were investigated in a mouse model of PUD, and macroscopic score was used to investigate the effects of HRCC on PUD. In addition, the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (Ccl2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. In addition, Western blots were used to evaluate the expressions of anti-oxidative enzymes, including catalase, glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Results: HRCC attenuated ulcer severity induced by ethanol and hydrogen chloride ex vivo (n = 6). In addition, long-term treatment of HRCC for seven-day reduced ethanol and hydrogen chloride-induced ulcer formation (n = 6). Moreover, we found that HRCC treatment decreased immune cell infiltration, the gene expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines (n = 6), and enhanced antioxidative enzyme levels (n = 3) in stomach of the animals in vivo. Conclusion: HRCC has potential as a gastroprotective agent with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities, and its application may provide an alternative for treating PUD.