Hydrogen-rich water attenuates experimental periodontitis in a rat model.

Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in periodontitis progression. Using a rat model in which ligature placement around maxillary molars induced periodontitis over 4 weeks, this study evaluated the effects of hydrogen-rich water consumed as drinking water. Animals receiving plain water exhibited a time-dependent rise in serum ROS, polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, and alveolar bone loss. In contrast, hydrogen-rich water intake suppressed serum ROS elevation and reduced 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine and nitrotyrosine expression in periodontal tissue. Osteoclast differentiation and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inflammatory signaling were also attenuated in the hydrogen-rich water group. These findings suggest that hydrogen-rich water consumption may reduce gingival oxidative stress and slow periodontitis progression.

Mechanism

Hydrogen-rich water scavenges ROS, reducing oxidative stress markers (8-OHdG, nitrotyrosine) in periodontal tissue, and suppressing MAPK-mediated inflammatory signaling as well as osteoclast differentiation, thereby limiting alveolar bone loss.