# Effect of molecular hydrogen saturated alkaline electrolyzed water on disuse muscle atrophy in gastrocnemius muscle.
> 水素飽和アルカリ電解水がヒラメ筋廃用性萎縮に及ぼす影響：酸化ストレス指標を用いた検討


## 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.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Fujita R, Tanaka Y, Saihara Y, Yamakita M, Ando D, Koyama K
- **Journal**: J Physiol Anthropol
- **Year**: 2011
- **PMID**: [21963827](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21963827/)
- **DOI**: [10.2114/jpa2.30.195](https://doi.org/10.2114/jpa2.30.195)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: hydrogen-rich water
- **Effect reported**: mixed

## Delivery context

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 21963827. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/21963827
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [21963827](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21963827/)