Hydrogen Water Reduced Vision Loss in Rats with Retinitis Pigmentosa
The reason for the amelioration of N-methyl-N-nitrosourea- induced retinitis pigmentosa in rats by hydrogen-rich saline
Research hubs: Eyes & Vision System · Brain & Nervous System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Wei-Ming Yan, Tao Chen, Xiao-Cheng Wang, Lin-Song Qi, Guan-Hua Zhao, Guo-Qing Yang, Yi-Fei Ma, Ye Tao, Lei Zhang, Zuo-Ming Zhang
- Journal
- International Journal of Ophthalmology
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 29062766
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- hydrogen-rich saline prior to and after MNU administration
- Duration
- 3 days
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 6 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) helps protect the eyes from damage and controls immune cell activation in a rat model of retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline preserved retinal function and reduced photoreceptor degeneration in rats with induced retinitis pigmentosa, while controlling immune cell activation and increasing protective protein expression.
Summary
Researchers tested hydrogen-rich saline (a salt solution containing dissolved hydrogen gas) in rats with an induced eye disease that damages light-sensing cells in the retina. The treatment preserved vision function and reduced damage to photoreceptor cells (the cells that detect light). The hydrogen-rich saline appeared to work by controlling immune cell activity in the eye and increasing levels of a protective protein called Sirt1.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing hydrogen-rich saline may have potential for retinal diseases, but it was conducted only in rats and did not test the treatment in humans. Much more research, including human clinical trials, would be needed before any conclusions could be drawn about its usefulness for people with eye disease.
Abstract (excerpt)
Aim: To investigate the effects of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) on microglia activation and Sirtuin type 1 (Sirt1) in rats with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Methods: Rats were divided into norm (N) group, model (M) group and HRS (H) group. Rats in M and H groups…