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Effects of Molecular Hydrogen Assessed by an Animal Model and a Randomized Clinical Study on Mild Cognitive
Kiyomi Nishimaki1, Takashi Asada2,3, Ikuroh Ohsawa1,4
1Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, 1-396, Kosugimachi, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 211-8533, Japan.
Background:
Oxidative stress is one of the causative factors in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases including mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. We previously reported that molecular hydrogen (H2) acts as a therapeutic and preventive antioxidant.
Objective:
We assess the effects of drinking H2-water (water infused with H2) on oxidative stress model mice and subjects with MCI.
Methods:
Transgenic mice expressing a dominant-negative form of aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 were used as a dementia model. The mice with enhanced oxidative stress were allowed to drink H2-water. For a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical study, 73 subjects with MCI drank ~300 mL of H2-water (H2-group) or placebo water (control group) per day, and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) scores were determined after 1 year.
Results:
In mice, drinking H2-water decreased oxidative stress markers and suppressed the decline of memory impairment and neurodegeneration. Moreover, the mean lifespan in the H2-water group was longer than that of the control group. In MCI subjects, although there was no significant difference between the H2- and control groups in ADAS-cog score after 1 year, carriers of the apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) genotype in the H2-group were improved significantly on total ADAS-cog score and word recall task score (one of the sub-scores in the ADAS-cog score).
Conclusion:
H2-water may have a potential for suppressing dementia in an oxidative stress model and in the APOE4 carriers with MCI.
Insights
Drinking hydrogen (H2)-water may help prevent dementia. In mice, H2-water reduced oxidative stress and improved lifespan. In mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients, H2-water showed benefits for APOE4 carriers.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Gerontology
Background:
- Oxidative stress is a key factor in neurodegenerative diseases like mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.
- Molecular hydrogen (H2) has demonstrated therapeutic and preventive antioxidant properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effects of hydrogen (H2)-water on oxidative stress in a mouse model and in human subjects with MCI.
- To assess H2-water's potential as a neuroprotective agent against cognitive decline.
Main Methods:
- A dementia model was created using transgenic mice with enhanced oxidative stress, who consumed H2-water.
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involved 73 MCI subjects drinking H2-water or placebo water for one year.
- Cognitive function was assessed using the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog).
Main Results:
- In mice, H2-water consumption reduced oxidative stress markers, mitigated memory impairment, and decreased neurodegeneration, leading to a longer lifespan.
- In MCI subjects, no overall significant difference in ADAS-cog scores was observed after one year.
- However, APOE4 carriers in the H2-group showed significant improvements in total ADAS-cog score and word recall.
Conclusions:
- H2-water shows potential in suppressing dementia in an oxidative stress model.
- H2-water may offer benefits for individuals with MCI, particularly APOE4 carriers, in managing cognitive decline.
