Hydrogen improves neurological function through attenuation of blood-brain barrier disruption in spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats.

Abstract

Fifty-six stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) were randomly divided into a hydrogen-rich water (HRW) group and a control group receiving regular water. After long-term administration, the HRW group demonstrated improved neurological function scores and a reduced number of hemorrhagic and ischemic lesions in the cortex and hippocampus. In the hippocampus, the number of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine-positive cells and albumin-extravasating vessels were significantly lower in the HRW group. Additionally, MMP-9 activity was suppressed in the hippocampus of HRW-treated animals. Overall survival showed a trend toward improvement without reaching statistical significance. These findings indicate that reactive oxygen species reduction and MMP-9 suppression may underlie the observed preservation of blood-brain barrier integrity and the associated improvement in neurological outcomes.

Mechanism

Ingestion of hydrogen-rich water reduces reactive oxygen species and suppresses MMP-9 activity in the hippocampus, thereby attenuating blood-brain barrier disruption and contributing to improved neurological function in hypertensive stroke-prone rats.