# Effect of Hydrogen-Rich Water on Radiation-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Rats.
> 水素水が放射線誘発性認知機能障害ラットモデルに与える影響とBDNF-TrkBシグナル経路を介した保護機序の検討


## Abstract

Using a rat model of whole-brain irradiation (30 Gy, 6-MeV electron beam), this study examined whether hydrogen-rich water (HRW, 0.8–0.9 ppm) administered 10 minutes before irradiation and daily for 30 days afterward could mitigate radiation-associated cognitive decline. Morris water maze testing revealed that HRW-treated irradiated rats exhibited shorter escape latency and greater retention in the original platform quadrant compared with irradiated controls. In the cerebral cortex, SOD activity and GSH levels rose while MDA and 8-OHdG concentrations fell significantly. Serum BDNF was elevated, BrdU/NeuN-positive newborn neuron counts increased, and both mRNA and protein expression of BDNF and its receptor TrkB were upregulated. These findings suggest that antioxidant activity and promotion of neurogenesis via the BDNF-TrkB signaling axis underlie the observed neuroprotective effects of HRW.

### Mechanism

HRW reduces oxidative stress markers (MDA, 8-OHdG) while elevating SOD and GSH, and activates the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway to promote neurogenesis, collectively protecting against radiation-induced cognitive decline.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Liu M, Yuan HB, Yin J, Wang R, Song J, Hu B, et al.
- **Journal**: Radiat Res
- **Year**: 2020
- **PMID**: [31634054](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31634054/)
- **DOI**: [10.1667/RR15464.1](https://doi.org/10.1667/RR15464.1)
- **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)

---

> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 31634054. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/31634054
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [31634054](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31634054/)