# Hydrogen-rich water attenuates the radiotoxicity induced by tritium exposure in vitro and in vivo.
> トリチウム被曝による放射線毒性に対する水素水の防護効果：in vitro・in vivo研究


## Abstract

Tritium (HTO), a radionuclide extensively used in nuclear energy production, poses radiation-related health risks. This study examined whether hydrogen-rich water (HRW) could reduce tritium burden and protect against radiation damage both in cell culture and in mice. Intragastric HRW administration in HTO-exposed mice (18.5 MBq/kg) accelerated urinary tritium excretion, lowered serum and organically bound tritium (OBT) levels, and reduced genetic damage in blood cells. In human B-lymphocyte AHH-1 cells, HRW pretreatment decreased intracellular tritium accumulation. HRW also suppressed elevated reactive oxygen species including superoxide, hydroxyl radical, and peroxynitrite, restored depleted glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity, reduced lipid peroxidation (MDA), alleviated DNA oxidative damage, and inhibited apoptosis and cytotoxicity caused by HTO exposure. These findings suggest HRW may act both as a radionuclide elimination agent via isotope exchange competition and as a radioprotective agent through free radical scavenging.

### Mechanism

HRW promotes tritium elimination via isotope exchange competition and scavenges reactive oxygen species (superoxide, hydroxyl radical, peroxynitrite), thereby restoring glutathione and SOD levels, reducing lipid peroxidation, and suppressing DNA damage and apoptosis in tritium-exposed cells and tissues.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Li H, Yin Y, Liu J, Lu B, Wan H, Yang L, et al.
- **Journal**: J Radiat Res
- **Year**: 2021 (2021-01-01)
- **PMID**: [33231266](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33231266/)
- **DOI**: [10.1093/jrr/rraa104](https://doi.org/10.1093/jrr/rraa104)
- **PMC**: [PMC7779358](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7779358/)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: mixed routes
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

This study combines multiple delivery routes. As a general principle, the most efficient route for routine hydrogen intake is inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

This study combines multiple delivery routes. As a general principle, the most efficient route for routine hydrogen intake is inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; 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 33231266. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/33231266
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [33231266](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33231266/)