# Prophylactic Instillation of Hydrogen-Rich Water Decreases Corneal Inflammation and Promotes Wound Healing by Activating Antioxidant Activity in a Rat Alkali Burn Model.
> ラット角膜アルカリ熱傷モデルにおける水素水点眼の予防的投与が抗酸化活性を介して炎症抑制と創傷治癒を促進する


## Abstract

This study examined whether prophylactic instillation of hydrogen-rich water could reduce corneal damage in a rat alkali burn model. Hydrogen-rich water or physiological saline was applied to the cornea for 5 minutes, followed 6 hours later by alkali exposure. Corneal epithelial defect area was assessed every 6 hours up to 24 hours post-injury, and histological, immunohistochemical, and RT-PCR analyses were conducted at 6 and 24 hours. The hydrogen-treated group showed significantly smaller epithelial defect areas at 12 hours and fewer inflammatory infiltrating cells at 6 hours compared with controls. SOD1 mRNA expression was significantly elevated in the hydrogen group at both time points, and PGC-1α-positive cell counts were significantly higher at 6 hours. These findings indicate that pre-injury hydrogen-rich water instillation activates antioxidant pathways, suppresses alkali-induced corneal inflammation, and may reduce subsequent scarring while facilitating epithelial recovery.

### Mechanism

Prophylactic hydrogen-rich water instillation upregulates SOD1 and PGC-1α expression in corneal tissue, enhancing antioxidant capacity and scavenging reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing alkali burn-induced inflammatory cell infiltration and epithelial defect area.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Kasamatsu M, Arima T, Ikebukuro T, Nakano Y, Tobita Y, Uchiyama M, et al.
- **Journal**: Int J Mol Sci
- **Year**: 2022 (2022-08-29)
- **PMID**: [36077171](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36077171/)
- **DOI**: [10.3390/ijms23179774](https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23179774)
- **PMC**: [PMC9455958](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9455958/)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: topical application
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Topical applications have localized-effect reports, but systemic hydrogen intake is most efficient via inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Topical applications have localized-effect reports, but systemic hydrogen intake is most efficient via inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration 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)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 36077171. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/36077171
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [36077171](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36077171/)