Randomized, crossover clinical efficacy trial in humans and mice on tear secretion promotion and lacrimal gland protection by molecular hydrogen.
Miyuki Kubota, Motoko Kawashima, Sachiko Inoue, Toshihiro Imada, Shigeru Nakamura, Shunsuke Kubota, Mitsuhiro Watanabe, Ryo Takemura, Kazuo Tsubota · Scientific reports · 2021
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
The researchers found that administering a persistent H₂-generating supplement increased the human exhaled H₂ concentration (p < 0.01) and improved tear stability (p < 0.01) and dry eye symptoms (p < 0.05) significantly. These findings add human evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease.
What the Findings Mean
H2HUBB reviewed how molecular hydrogen affected the outcomes measured in 10 participants. The researchers found that administering a persistent H₂-generating supplement increased the human exhaled H₂ concentration (p < 0.01) and improved tear stability (p < 0.01) and dry eye symptoms (p < 0.05) significantly.
What the Researchers Studied
The researchers studied 10 participants. The study used a human clinical study. The comparison condition was placebo.
What Effects Did Molecular Hydrogen Have?
SUPER H₂ INTERVENTIONS: In this two-group crossover study, the active study group was administered a persistent H₂ generating supplement (SUPER H₂; DHC Corp., Tokyo, Japan). The active control group received mineral water (EVIAN; Ito En, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan); SUPER H₂ and mineral water were administered to the same participants, on different days, with a crossover period of 1–3 days, in a randomized order. Mineral water (500 mL) was administered either alone or with 10 capsules of SUPER H₂; in either case, the water was consumed as quickly as possible (preferably within 5 min). All samples were analyzed simultaneously for measuring H₂ concentrations in exhaled air via gas chromatography using the sulfur chemiluminescence detection method (TRIlyser MBA-3000; TAIYO Instruments); 1 mL from the exhaled airbag was injected into the TRIlyser MBA-3000 using a gas-tight syringe. The researchers found that administering a persistent H₂-generating supplement increased the human exhaled H₂ concentration (p < 0.01) and improved tear stability (p < 0.01) and dry eye symptoms (p < 0.05) significantly. The authors concluded that the study found that administering a safe and inexpensive H₂ supplement affected the external secretory function of the lacrimal glands and protected the eye against tear loss in the severe dry eye model. Since this phenomenon of suppressing Ca 2+ is contrary to the mechanism that increases tear secretion in the acinar cells of the lacrimal gland, further investigation of the dynamics of intercellular Ca ion concentration [Ca 2+ ]i 39 by hydrogen is needed.
Why These Findings Matter
These findings add human evidence supporting molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease and contribute to the growing body of molecular-hydrogen research.
How Strong Is This Evidence?
This is human clinical evidence from a human clinical study. H2HUBB interprets the findings in the context of the study design, sample, comparator, and measured outcomes rather than using one publication as a verdict on hydrogen therapy.
Technical Study Details
H2HUBB classifies this publication as human clinical study with human clinical evidence. The research population or model was 10 participants. The reported sample size was 10. The study used a human clinical study.
Limitations and Safety
Reported limitations: The small sample size was both due to its exploratory nature and the difficulty in enrolling a large number of participants. Other possible substantial effects could not be detected because of the small sample size. Safety information: Therefore, H₂ may be a safe and effective new treatment for dry eye disease and thus larger trials are warranted. The study found that administering a safe and inexpensive H₂ supplement affected the external secretory function of the lacrimal glands and protected the eye against tear loss in the severe dry eye model.
Original Study and H2HUBB Research Context
H2HUBB presents this source-grounded research record as one contribution to the broader molecular-hydrogen evidence base.