Mechanism by which hydrogen-rich water mitigates exercise-induced fatigue: activation of the immunoresponsive gene 1-itaconate/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 pathway.
Yinyin Zhang, Yajing Ying, Xianpeng Zu, Lingling Ding, Xuan Shi, Jing Wang, Xiangtong Li, Chujian Li, Qicheng Zhou, Hui Shen, Hongxia Li, Hongtao Lu, Jin Cheng · Medical gas research · 2026
Research-use notice
Independent study record
Each H2HUBB study page organizes source-linked research details for educational use. Interpretation should remain proportional to the study design, population, controls, and limitations.
H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
In mice, hydrogen-rich water improved the motor function of fatigue mice, reduced the levels of fatigue-related biomarkers (blood urea nitrogen, lactate, and creatine kinase), and alleviated gastrocnemius muscle injury. 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. Hydrogen-rich water improved the motor function of fatigue mice, reduced the levels of fatigue-related biomarkers (blood urea nitrogen, lactate, and creatine kinase), and alleviated gastrocnemius muscle injury.
What the Researchers Studied
The researchers studied mice. The study used a preclinical animal experiment. The comparison condition was control condition or baseline measurements.
What Effects Did Molecular Hydrogen Have?
Source-reported hydrogen concentration: 1.5 mg/L H₂; reported treatment duration: 24 hours. Hydrogen-rich water improved the motor function of fatigue mice, reduced the levels of fatigue-related biomarkers (blood urea nitrogen, lactate, and creatine kinase), and alleviated gastrocnemius muscle injury. The authors concluded that in this study, the researchers verified that hydrogen-rich water alleviates exercise-induced fatigue and that hydrogen-rich water mitigates oxidative stress through stimulating the itaconate/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed that hydrogen-rich water upregulated the expression of immune response gene 1 (IRG1), increased the abnormally reduced levels of itaconic acid due to fatigue, and subsequently activated the downstream nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) pathway. Molecular hydrogen is an effective treatment for relieving fatigue, but the exact mechanism is not clear.
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 source-reported hydrogen concentration was 1.5 mg/L H₂. The reported treatment duration was 24 hours.
Limitations and Safety
Reported limitations: However, due to technological limitations, the researchers did not detect the enzyme activity of IRG1, which is also a limitation of the authors' research.
Original Study and H2HUBB Research Context
H2HUBB presents this source-grounded research record as one contribution to the broader molecular-hydrogen evidence base.