Hydrogen-Rich Water Ameliorates Total Body Irradiation-Induced Hematopoietic Stem Cell Injury by Reducing Hydroxyl Radical.

Abstract

This mouse study investigated the protective capacity of hydrogen-rich water (HW) against hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) damage induced by total body irradiation (TBI). In c-kit-positive cells from 4 Gy-irradiated mice, HW intake led to a marked reduction in hydroxyl radical levels. Bone marrow cell proliferation increased while apoptosis in c-kit-positive cells decreased following HW consumption. Reductions in γ-H2AX mean fluorescence intensity and 8-oxoguanine-positive cell proportions indicated attenuation of both general and oxidative DNA damage. Key proteins governing cell cycle (P21), apoptosis (BCL-XL, BAK), and antioxidant responses (NRF2, HO-1, NQO1, SOD, GPX1) were significantly modulated in irradiated c-kit-positive cells after HW administration. These findings collectively indicate that HW preserves HSC number, self-renewal capacity, and differentiation potential under TBI conditions.

Mechanism

HW selectively scavenges hydroxyl radicals in c-kit-positive hematopoietic stem cells, activating the NRF2/HO-1/NQO1 antioxidant pathway while modulating BCL-XL and BAK to suppress apoptosis and reduce oxidative DNA damage.