Drinking hydrogen water improves photoreceptor structure and function in retinal degeneration 6 mice.
Tsutomu Igarashi, Ikuroh Ohsawa, Maika Kobayashi, Kai Miyazaki, Toru Igarashi, Shuhei Kameya, Asaka Lee Shiozawa, Yasuhiro Ikeda, Yoshitaka Miyagawa, Mashito Sakai, Takashi Okada, Iwao Sakane, Hiroshi Takahashi · Scientific reports · 2022
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Independent study record
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H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
In mice, H₂ mice showed significantly higher retinal thickness as compared to controls on optical coherence tomography. These results are preclinical and suggest molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential in the condition studied. Further human research is needed to establish clinical effectiveness.
What the Researchers Studied
The study examined mice.
How Molecular Hydrogen Was Used
Given the known contributions of oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and selective inhibition of potent ROS peroxynitrite and OH·by H₂ gas the researchers have previously demonstrated, the researchers hypothesized that ingestion of H₂ water may delay the progression of photoreceptor death in rd6 mice.
What the Researchers Found
H₂ mice showed significantly higher retinal thickness as compared to controls on optical coherence tomography. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis of differentially expressed genes in the H₂ group versus control group revealed 1996 genes with significantly different expressions.
H₂ Mechanisms / Biological Findings
The source material reviewed did not establish a specific molecular hydrogen mechanism for the reported findings.
Authors’ Conclusion
The authors concluded that drinking water high in H₂ (1.2-1.6 ppm) had neuroprotective effects and inhibited photoreceptor death in mice, and suggest the potential of H₂ for the treatment of RP.