Hydrogen-rich water improves endurance by reducing skeletal muscle oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.
Eika Mizuno, Tatsuhiro Sato, Kosuke Okada, Ikuru Miura, Junichi Shoda, Makoto Saito, Yutaro Mori, Sechang Oh, Tomonori Isobe · Frontiers in nutrition · 2026
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Independent study record
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H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
In mice, 3.3 Immunoblot analysis of the tibialis cranialis muscle showed that Nrf2 protein expression was significantly lower in the HRW group than in the PW group, both at baseline and after 50 min of exercise ( Figure 4A ). qPCR analysis revealed no significant differences in the expression of Cat, Hmox1, or Nqo1 between the PW and HRW groups at baseline. These preclinical findings add evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential within the outcomes and biological pathways measured in this model.
What the Findings Mean
H2HUBB reviewed how hydrogen-rich water affected the outcomes measured in mice. 3.3 Immunoblot analysis of the tibialis cranialis muscle showed that Nrf2 protein expression was significantly lower in the HRW group than in the PW group, both at baseline and after 50 min of exercise ( Figure 4A ). qPCR analysis revealed no significant differences in the expression of Cat, Hmox1, or Nqo1 between the PW and HRW groups at baseline.
What the Researchers Studied
The researchers studied mice. The study used a preclinical animal experiment.
What Effects Did Molecular Hydrogen Have?
Reported treatment duration: 4 weeks. 3.3 Immunoblot analysis of the tibialis cranialis muscle showed that Nrf2 protein expression was significantly lower in the HRW group than in the PW group, both at baseline and after 50 min of exercise ( Figure 4A ). qPCR analysis revealed no significant differences in the expression of Cat, Hmox1, or Nqo1 between the PW and HRW groups at baseline. The authors concluded that HRW consumption alleviates oxidative stress and inflammation in skeletal muscle and improves exercise endurance. However, immediately following exercise, GSH levels were significantly higher in the HRW group than in the control mice, suggesting that the direct and rapid neutralization of ROS by hydrogen during physical exertion protected cellular GSH pools from oxidative depletion or facilitated their regeneration.
Why These Findings Matter
These preclinical findings add evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential within the outcomes and biological pathways measured in this model.
How Strong Is This Evidence?
This is preclinical animal evidence from a preclinical animal experiment. It is most informative for the disease model, mechanisms, biomarkers, and outcomes directly measured in the study.
Technical Study Details
H2HUBB classifies this publication as animal study with preclinical animal evidence. The research population or model was mice. The study used a preclinical animal experiment. The hydrogen delivery method was hydrogen-rich water. The reported treatment duration was 4 weeks.
Limitations and Safety
No separate limitations or safety findings were identified in the source text available to H2HUBB.
Original Study and H2HUBB Research Context
H2HUBB presents this source-grounded research record as one contribution to the broader molecular-hydrogen evidence base.