Molecular hydrogen in drinking water protects against neurodegenerative changes induced by traumatic brain injury.

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is recognized as a risk factor for neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, partly through oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. Using a controlled cortical impact (CCI) mouse model, this study evaluated the effects of hydrogen-rich drinking water (mHW) on acute post-injury changes. mHW reduced CCI-induced cerebral edema by approximately 50%, completely suppressed pathological tau expression, and normalized protein levels of aquaporin-4, HIF-1, MMP-2, and MMP-9. Cytokine responses were modulated: an early elevation was accentuated, but by day 7 the increase was attenuated. Gene expression changes related to oxidative metabolism, cytokine release, and leukocyte migration observed 4 hours post-CCI were reversed by mHW. ATP levels were preserved or elevated, and the authors propose that the Jagendorf reaction may underlie this effect. Amyloid beta peptides 1-40 and 1-42 were not significantly altered. These findings indicate that hydrogen-rich water can mitigate multiple molecular and cellular consequences of experimental TBI.

Mechanism

Hydrogen-rich water is proposed to exert neuroprotection by reducing oxidative stress, normalizing aquaporin-4, HIF-1, and MMP-2/9 protein levels, suppressing pathological tau, modulating cytokine dynamics, and enhancing ATP production via the Jagendorf reaction.