Hydrogen Water Improves Insulin Levels in Diabetic Rats
- Authors
- Ekowati Retnaningtyas, Budi Susatia, Siti Nur Arifah, Sri Rahayu Lestari
- Journal
- Veterinary World
- Year
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.14202/vetworld.2022.182-187
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Indonesia
- Health Condition
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Body System
- Endocrine
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water improved insulin levels and antioxidant activity in diabetic rats, similarly to the diabetes drug metformin.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich water increased insulin levels and antioxidant activity in diabetic rats at levels comparable to the diabetes drug metformin.
Summary
Researchers gave hydrogen-rich water to rats with artificially induced diabetes to see if it could help control blood sugar. The rats that received hydrogen-rich water showed improved insulin levels (a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar) and increased antioxidant activity (the body's natural defense against harmful molecules). The effects were similar to those seen with metformin, a common diabetes medication.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study, so results cannot yet be applied to humans. While the findings suggest hydrogen-rich water may have antioxidant properties that could theoretically benefit diabetes management, human clinical trials would be needed to determine if these effects translate to people and whether hydrogen water could be a useful diabetes treatment.
Abstract
Background and aim: Water plays a pivotal role in the body. Alteration of the fluid balance promotes metabolic disorder, thus leading to the development of various diseases, such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Hydrogen-rich water (HW) is recognized as a novel antioxidant. This study aimed to investigate the role of HW on insulin, insulin receptor (IRs), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: A total of 30 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: Normal (N), DM rats, DM+metformin (DM+Met, 45 mg/kg body weight [BW]), DM+Met+HW, and DM+HW. DM rats were induced by feeding them a high-fat diet for 30 days and then injecting with repeated low doses of STZ (35 mg/kg BW) intraperitoneally. Fresh HW was administered orally and ad libitum for 14 days. Insulin, IRs, and SOD were observed in each group. Results: HW therapy increased the level and expression of insulin and IRs. In addition, treatment with HW also elevated the SOD levels in the serum and liver. The study results indicated no significant differences between the administration of HW and metformin. Conclusion: HW has antioxidant activity in STZ-induced DM rats, increasing insulin, IRs, and SOD.