# Hydrogen-Rich Water and Lactulose Protect Against Growth Suppression and Oxidative Stress in Female Piglets FedToxins Contaminated Diets.
> 水素水およびラクツロースがマイコトキシン汚染飼料を与えた雌豚仔の発育抑制と酸化ストレスに及ぼす保護効果


## Abstract

This animal study examined whether hydrogen-rich water (HRW) or lactulose (LAC) could counteract the negative effects of mycotoxin-contaminated feed on growth and antioxidant capacity in weaning piglets. Twenty-four female piglets were divided into four groups over 25 days: negative control, mycotoxin-contaminated (MC), MC+HRW, and MC+LAC. Both HRW and LAC significantly reduced the mycotoxin-induced decline in average daily gain and feed intake. LAC administration elevated hydrogen concentrations in plasma and liver, while HRW also raised plasma hydrogen levels compared with the MC group. Serum appetite-regulating hormones peptide YY and cholecystokinin, which were elevated in the MC group, were reduced by both interventions. Oxidative stress markers in serum and liver were likewise attenuated by HRW and LAC. These findings indicate that oral delivery of either HRW or lactulose can mitigate mycotoxin-associated growth impairment and oxidative damage in piglets.

### Mechanism

Both HRW and lactulose elevated hydrogen concentrations in plasma and liver, thereby reducing mycotoxin-induced oxidative stress. Concurrently, excessive secretion of appetite-suppressing hormones PYY and CCK was attenuated, which is proposed to underlie the partial restoration of feed intake and growth performance.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Zheng W, Ji X, Zhang Q, Du W, Wei Q, Yao W
- **Journal**: Toxins (Basel)
- **Year**: 2018 (2018-06-04)
- **PMID**: [29867031](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29867031/)
- **DOI**: [10.3390/toxins10060228](https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins10060228)
- **PMC**: [PMC6024318](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6024318/)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: hydrogen-rich water
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Hydrogen-rich water is a low-risk delivery route, but the achievable systemic hydrogen dose is bounded. For clinical applications, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk, and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10% applies to inhalation environments; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 29867031. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/29867031
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [29867031](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29867031/)