# Taurine, Coenzyme Q, and Hydrogen Water Prevents Germanium Dioxide-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Associated Sensorineural Hearing Loss in mouse.
> タウリン・コエンザイムQ10・水素水によるゲルマニウム誘発ミトコンドリア機能障害および感音難聴の抑制（マウスモデル）


## Abstract

Mitochondrial dysfunction is closely linked to the development of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). In this mouse study, CBA/J mice administered germanium dioxide (GeO) developed SNHL accompanied by degeneration of the stria vascularis and spiral ganglion. Cochlear gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of mitochondrial respiratory chain-related genes alongside upregulation of apoptosis-related genes. Supplementation with taurine, coenzyme Q10, or hydrogen-rich water each reduced GeO-induced cochlear degeneration and the associated hearing impairment. These findings indicate that antioxidant supplementation targeting mitochondrial pathways may help slow the progression of SNHL linked to mitochondrial dysfunction.

### Mechanism

GeO suppresses mitochondrial respiratory chain gene expression and upregulates apoptosis-related genes in the cochlea. Hydrogen-rich water and other antioxidants counteract these molecular changes, thereby reducing stria vascularis and spiral ganglion degeneration.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Kashio A, Yamada C, Yasuhara K, Kamogashira T, Someya S, Yamasoba T
- **Journal**: Hear Res
- **Year**: 2023
- **PMID**: [36577362](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36577362/)
- **DOI**: [10.1016/j.heares.2022.108678](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heares.2022.108678)
- **PMC**: [PMC11466212](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11466212/)
- **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 36577362. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/36577362
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [36577362](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36577362/)