Therapeutic effects of hydrogen saturated saline on rat diabetic model and insulin resistant model via reduction of oxidative stress.

Abstract

Using rat models of diabetes mellitus (induced by high-fat/high-carbohydrate diet plus low-dose streptozotocin) and insulin resistance (induced by high-glucose/high-fat diet), this study examined the effects of daily hydrogen-saturated saline administration over eight weeks. Compared with both pioglitazone-treated and normal saline-treated control groups, hydrogen-saturated saline produced greater reductions in blood glucose and lipid levels and improved insulin sensitivity. Oxidative stress markers showed a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) alongside elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels. These findings suggest that hydrogen-saturated saline may ameliorate insulin resistance and diabetic metabolic disturbances primarily through suppression of oxidative stress and enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defenses.

Mechanism

Hydrogen-saturated saline is proposed to scavenge reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing lipid peroxidation (MDA) and upregulating antioxidant enzymes SOD and GSH, which collectively attenuate oxidative stress and restore insulin sensitivity.