# Evaluation of the hydrogen-rich water alleviation potential on mercury toxicity in earthworms using ATR-FTIR and LC-ESI-MS/MS spectroscopy.
> ATR-FTIRおよびLC-ESI-MS/MS分光法を用いたミミズにおける水素水の水銀毒性軽減効果の評価


## Abstract

This study examined mercury chloride toxicity in earthworms and whether hydrogen-rich water (HRW) could reduce its harmful effects, using ATR-FTIR and LC-MS/MS as analytical tools. Earthworms received injections of mercury chloride at four concentrations (5, 10, 20, and 40 µg/mL) prepared either in standard water or in HRW. FTIR spectral bands associated with proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides were more markedly diminished in the standard mercury group at 20 µg/mL compared with the corresponding HRW group, indicating partial biomolecular protection. LC-MS data from the highest dose groups revealed that the 8-Oxo-dG marker ion (m/z 283.1), indicative of oxidative DNA damage, was elevated to a greater extent in the standard mercury group than in the HRW group. These findings suggest that HRW possesses the capacity to partially counteract mercury-induced oxidative injury, though extended exposure durations may be required to fully characterize the protective magnitude. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy was confirmed as a rapid, precise approach for tracking molecular-level tissue alterations caused by toxic compounds.

### Mechanism

HRW is proposed to scavenge reactive oxygen species generated by mercury exposure, thereby reducing oxidative DNA damage (as indicated by 8-Oxo-dG levels) and attenuating mercury-induced alterations in proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides at the molecular level.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Köktürk M, Atalar MN, Odunkıran A, Bulut M, Alwazeer D
- **Journal**: Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
- **Year**: 2022
- **PMID**: [34718956](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34718956/)
- **DOI**: [10.1007/s11356-021-17230-x](https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-17230-x)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: injection / infusion
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Intravenous hydrogen-saline infusion is a clinic-only route and is not viable for everyday self-administration. For routine hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most practical route, but inhalation carries explosion risk and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration 66% / 100% devices are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Intravenous hydrogen-saline infusion is a clinic-only route and is not viable for everyday self-administration. For routine hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most practical route, but inhalation carries explosion risk and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration 66% / 100% devices 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 34718956. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/34718956
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [34718956](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34718956/)