Hydrogen improves exercise endurance in rats by promoting mitochondrial biogenesis

Area of Science:

• Exercise Physiology
• Molecular Biology
• Microbiome Research

Background:

• Hydrogen water exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• The precise molecular mechanisms underlying hydrogen's effects on exercise fatigue are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the molecular mechanisms of hydrogen water's effects on exercise-induced fatigue.
• To explore hydrogen's impact on mitochondrial energy metabolism and gut microbiota.

Main Methods:

• Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (pure water) and hydrogen water groups.
• A 2-week treadmill protocol induced exercise fatigue.
• 16S rRNA gene sequencing analyzed gut bacterial communities.
• Mitochondrial energy metabolism gene expression and glucose metabolism were assessed.

Main Results:

• Hydrogen water significantly improved exercise tolerance in rats.
• Significant alterations in gut microbial diversity and composition were observed.
• Hydrogen upregulated mitochondrial biogenesis genes, potentially through the Pparγ/Pgc-1α/Tfam pathway.
• Hydrogen modulated skeletal muscle glucose metabolism.

Conclusions:

• Hydrogen water enhances endurance exercise performance.
• Hydrogen promotes mitochondrial biogenesis via the Pparγ/Pgc-1α/Tfam pathway.
• Hydrogen influences gut microbiota and skeletal muscle glucose metabolism, contributing to improved exercise capacity.