Oral Hydrogen water – reduce hepatic inflammatory cells in mouse

Abstract

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by a wide spectrum of liver damages spanning from steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cryptogenic liver cirrhosis, even to hepatocellular carcinoma. Oxidative stress is a strong contributor to the progression from simple fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). In this study we investigated the effect of hydrogen in the prevention of NASH in C57BL6 mouse, known as the NASH-related model. Our aim was to investigate the effects of hydrogen water on liver NASH and the mechanism underling these effects. Method: A methionine choline deficient diet (MCD) was prepared for the mouse models. In our investigation we made two experimental groups as follows: (1) MCD diet + normal water group(n=12); (2) MCD diet + hydrogen water group(n=12). Both groups were fed for three different periods, which are 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 16 weeks. The livers were histologically examined using H&E, CD68 and Masson's trichrome staining methods. Hydrogen water was produced by placing a metallic magnesium stick into drinking water (final hydrogen concentration; 200-300 ppm). Result: The control group and hydrogen water group average concentration of ROS at 8 weeks (588±24 FORT units vs 164±8; P=0.029), at 12 weeks (587±26 FORT units vs 163±5; P=0.029) and at 16 weeks (439±176 FORT units vs 160±0; P=0.029). From H&E staining the inflammation cells was vicissitudinous in control group and HW group. At 8, 12, and 16 weeks demonstrated that (control group vs HW group; P=0.420)(control group vs HW group; P=0.729)(control group vs HW; P=0.017). Immunohistochemical identification of CD68-positive cells in control and HW group were counted that at 8 weeks P=0.151, at 12 weeks P=0.006 and 16 weeks P=0.000. Conclusion: Daily consumption of hydrogen water reduces nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and may be an effective treatment for NASH by reducing hepatic oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation.