# Zn-Fe primary battery-enabled controlled hydrogen release in stomach for improving insulin resistance in obesity-associated type 2 diabetes.
> 亜鉛-鉄一次電池構造による胃内水素放出制御が肥満関連2型糖尿病のインスリン抵抗性を改善する


## Abstract

Chronic systemic inflammation is a central driver of insulin resistance (IR) in obesity-associated type 2 diabetes (T2D). Conventional hydrogen delivery approaches are limited by insufficient dosage and short tissue exposure. This study developed a Zn-Fe primary battery micro/nanostructure that accelerates zinc hydrolysis in gastric acid, enabling controlled H2 release over approximately 3 hours—aligned with the gastric emptying window in mice. The Fe-to-Zn ratio was tuned to regulate the H2 release rate. In vivo imaging confirmed that H2 generated in the stomach accumulated at high concentrations in IR-relevant tissues (liver, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle) for a prolonged period compared with hydrogen-rich water. Daily oral administration at 200 mg/kg in leptin-deficient (ob/ob) mice significantly improved IR and reduced systemic inflammation. No apparent toxicity was observed at high doses, supporting the safety profile of this delivery platform.

### Mechanism

The Zn-Fe galvanic micro/nanostructure accelerates zinc hydrolysis in gastric acid, generating sustained high-dose H2 over ~3 hours. H2 accumulates in liver, adipose, and skeletal muscle, scavenging reactive oxygen species and suppressing systemic inflammation, thereby reducing insulin resistance.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Liu B, Lv P, Zhang XQ, Xia C, Liu X, Liu J, et al.
- **Journal**: Bioact Mater
- **Year**: 2024
- **PMID**: [38045569](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38045569/)
- **DOI**: [10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.11.003](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2023.11.003)
- **PMC**: [PMC10689207](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10689207/)
- **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 38045569. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/38045569
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [38045569](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38045569/)