Hydrogen Water Reduces Inflammation in Kidney Dialysis Patients
- Authors
- Masaaki Nakayama, Shigeru Kabayama, Sadayoshi Ito
- Journal
- Renal Replacement Therapy
- Year
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1186/s41100-016-0036-0
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Body System
- Renal
TL;DR
Scientists found that adding hydrogen gas to the water used in kidney dialysis treatments helps reduce harmful inflammation and damage in patients' bodies, which could make dialysis safer and help people feel better long-term.
Key Finding
Hemodialysis using hydrogen-enriched water appears to suppress multiple markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic dialysis patients, including reduced interleukin-6 and lymphocyte apoptosis.
Summary
This review examines how hydrogen gas (H2) might help reduce harmful chemical reactions in the bodies of patients undergoing hemodialysis (a kidney treatment). Dialysis patients often experience increased oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) and inflammation. Researchers developed a hemodialysis system that delivers water enriched with hydrogen gas, and early studies suggest this approach reduces markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in these patients.
Practical Takeaway
This is a review article summarizing early research rather than a new clinical trial, so evidence remains limited. While animal studies and preliminary clinical observations suggest hydrogen-enriched dialysate may help reduce oxidative stress in dialysis patients, more rigorous human studies are needed to confirm effectiveness and safety. Anyone undergoing dialysis should discuss any new treatment approaches with their nephrologist.
Abstract
Increased oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory conditions, commonly present in chronic dialysis patients, are thought to be enhanced during hemodialysis (HD) and to be associated with the excess morbidity and mortality seen in these patients. The hydrogen molecule (H2) has a unique biological capacity to act as an antioxidative and anti-inflammatory substance. In light of accumulating evidence from animal studies showing protective effects against organ damage during ischemia and inflammation, development of H2 treatments for HD patients has become a challenging clinical goal. An HD system utilizing a water electrolysis technique that renders large amounts of H2-enriched water has been developed. During HD with an H2-enriched solution (approximately 50 ppb H2), markers of increased oxidative stress (such as interleukin-6, myeloperoxidase, methemoglobin, increased lymphocyte apoptosis, and high blood pressure) are suppressed. These findings indicate that the use of an H2-enriched solution may prove to be a novel approach to ameliorate dialysis-related complications. This manuscript reviews the recent progress in H2 research and the use of H2 in HD patients, including a description of a water electrolysis technique that delivers large amounts of H2-enriched water for use in clinical settings.