Hydrogen-rich water ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions and regulates macrophage polarization in dyslipidemic ApoE-deficient mice.

Abstract

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated skin condition closely linked to obesity and lipid metabolism dysregulation. Using an imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like model in ApoE-deficient mice, this study examined how hydrogen-rich water (HRW) consumption affects disease severity and metabolic parameters. HRW administration led to significant reductions in plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations, an elevation in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and visible improvement in skin lesions. Transcriptomic profiling of skin tissue revealed marked alterations in inflammatory and lipid metabolism pathways following HRW intake, with quantitative PCR confirming modulation of inflammatory cytokine expression. Additionally, HRW shifted macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype while suppressing M1 polarization within skin tissue. These findings indicate that HRW consumption may have beneficial effects on psoriasis accompanied by dyslipidemia.

Mechanism

HRW appears to suppress M1 macrophage polarization while promoting M2 polarization, concurrently modulating inflammatory cytokine expression and lipid metabolism pathways, thereby reducing skin inflammation in a dyslipidemic psoriasis model.