Hydrogen Water Eye Drops Reduce Blood Vessel Growth in Injured Corneas
- Authors
- Yu-Xia You, Qing-Feng Liang, Yu-Jie Li, Ke Ma
- Journal
- Ophthalmology in China
- Year
- 2014
- DOI
- 10.13281/j.cnki.issn.1004-4469.2014.05.013
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Corneal Neovascularization
- Body System
- Visual System
TL;DR
Eye drops containing saturated hydrogen water can reduce the growth of new blood vessels in the corneas of rats.
Key Finding
Hydrogen water eye drops reduced abnormal corneal blood vessel growth by approximately 50-75% compared to saline in injured rat eyes, with significant differences appearing by day 7 after injury.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-enriched water could reduce abnormal blood vessel growth in rat corneas (the clear front part of the eye) after surgical injury. Rats that received hydrogen water eye drops three times daily for two weeks showed significantly smaller areas of new blood vessel growth compared to rats that received saline (salt water), particularly from day 7 onward. The effect appeared to work by reducing oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) in the eye tissue.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing hydrogen water may help prevent unwanted blood vessel growth in eye injuries. However, results from rat studies do not automatically translate to humans, and no human trials have tested this approach. Much more research would be needed before hydrogen water could be considered a clinical treatment for eye conditions.
Abstract
Objective To investigate the inhibiting effect of saturated hydrogen water on suture induced corneal neovascularization in rats. Design Experimental study. Participants Healthy adult male SD rats. Methods The left eyes of SD male rats were selected as the experimental eyes. The suture induced corneal neovascularization model was successfully induced in 12 rats, and then divided into 2 groups (n=6). The rats of group A were given saturated hydrogen water by dropping three times a day, and those in group B were given saline by dropping three times a day for consecutive two weeks. The cornea were photographed with slit lamp photography and the area of corneal neovascularization were calculated on post-operation-day 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 14. On post-operation-day 14, the rats were sacrificed, and then HE staining and the expression of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) protein were determined. Main Outcome Measures The area of corneal neovascularization. Results The area of corneal neovascularization of group A and B on post-operation- day 5, 7, 9 , 11 and 14 were 6.43±5.20 and 11.56±4.80 mm2, 10.10±8.79 and 21.39±8.57 mm2, 15.73±12.93 and 33.76±13.96 mm2, 9.85±9.04 and 24.80±13.06 mm2, and 8.42±5.46 and 23.13±13.37 mm2 respectively. The difference at day 5 was not significant(t=-1.774, P=0.106), but a significant difference was found between two groups at day 7 (t=-2.252, P=0.048), day 9 (t=-2.320, P=0.043), day 11 (t=-2.305, P=0.044), and day 14(t=-2.494, P=0.032). Conclusion Saturated hydrogen eye drops inhibit angiogenesis on suture induced corneal neovascularization. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2014, 23: 335-338)