Effect of molecular hydrogen saturated alkaline electrolyzed water on disuse muscle atrophy in gastrocnemius muscle.

Abstract

Female Wistar rats subjected to 3-week hindlimb unloading were allocated to four groups receiving purified water, alkaline electrolyzed water, or hydrogen-saturated alkaline electrolyzed water (HSW), alongside unloaded controls. DNA oxidation marker 8-OHdG rose approximately 149% and 145% above control in the purified-water and alkaline-water groups, respectively, whereas the HSW group showed a smaller, non-significant increase of about 95%. Lipid peroxidation (MDA) did not differ significantly across groups. SOD-like activity was markedly elevated in unloaded animals, suggesting superoxide accumulation; the HSW group showed a numerically lower elevation (169% of control) compared with the other unloaded groups, but the difference lacked statistical significance. Gastrocnemius wet-weight loss was 13% and 15% in the purified-water and alkaline-water groups, respectively, versus only 7% in the HSW group, with the HSW group showing significantly greater muscle mass than the alkaline-water group. Overall, continuous HSW consumption during hindlimb unloading did not achieve statistically robust attenuation of oxidative stress or muscle atrophy under this experimental protocol.

Mechanism

Hindlimb unloading elevates superoxide production in gastrocnemius muscle, increasing 8-OHdG-mediated DNA oxidation; dissolved molecular hydrogen may partially scavenge superoxide, modestly limiting oxidative damage and muscle mass loss.