Hydrogen Activates ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1-Dependent Efflux Ex Vivo and Improves High-Density Lipoprotein Function in Patients With Hypercholesterolemia: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Trial
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Updated: Apr 12, 2026
Cholesterol Efflux Assay
Published on: March 6, 2012
Guohua Song1, Quanqiang Lin1, Hui Zhao1
1Key Laboratory of Atherosclerosis in Universities of Shandong and Institute of Atherosclerosis (G.S., Q.L., H.Z., Y.Y., S.G., P.J., S.Q.), TaiShan Medical University, Tai'an, China 271000; Heart Center of TaiShan Medical University (G.S., Q.L., Y.W., Q.X., S.Q.), Tai'an, China 271000; Zhoudian Community (M.L., Y.S.), Daiyue District, Tai'an, China 271021; Tai'an He Ren Tang Hospital (F.Y.), Tai'an, China 271021; Department of Cardiology (Y.W., Q.X., S.Q.), Affiliated Hospital of Taishan Medical University, Tai'an, China 271000; and Institute of Public Health (G.D.), TaiShan Medical University, Tai'an, China 271000.
Context:
We have found that hydrogen (dihydrogen [H2]) decreases plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and improves high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function in patients with potential metabolic syndrome in a before-after self-controlled study.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to further characterize the effects of H2-rich water (0.9 L/day) on the content, composition, and biological activities of plasma lipoproteins on patients with hypercholesterolemia and their underlying mechanisms in a double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial.
Design:
This was a case-control study.
Setting:
The setting was the Zhoudian community, Tai'an, China.
Patients:
A total of 68 patients with untreated isolated hypercholesterolemia were randomly allocated to either drinking H2-rich water (n = 34) or placebo water (n = 34) for 10 weeks.
Results:
HDL isolated from the H2 group showed an increased ability to promote the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1-mediated cholesterol efflux ex vivo. Plasma pre-β-HDL levels were up-regulated although there were no changes in plasma HDL-cholesterol levels. Moreover, other HDL functions, assessed in protection against LDL oxidation, inhibition of oxidized-LDL-induced inflammation, and protection of endothelial cells from oxidized-LDL-induced apoptosis, were all significantly improved by H2 treatment. In addition, H2 treatment increased the effective rate in down-regulating plasma levels of total cholesterol (47.06% vs 17.65%) and LDL cholesterol (47.06% vs 23.53%). Western blot analysis revealed a marked decrease in apolipoprotein B100 and an increase in apolipoprotein M in plasma of the H2 group. Finally H2 treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of several inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators in whole plasma and HDL particles.
Conclusions:
H2 activates ATP-binding cassette transporter A1-dependent efflux, enhances HDL antiatherosclerotic functions, and has beneficial lipid-lowering effects. The present findings highlight the potential role of H2 in the regression of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.
