Hydrogen-rich water attenuates the radiotoxicity induced by tritium exposure in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Radionuclide tritium is widely used in the nuclear energy production industry and creates a threat to human health through radiation exposure. Herein, the radioactive elimination and radioprotective effect of hydrogen-rich water (HRW), a potential antioxidant with various medical applications, on tritiated water (HTO) exposure, was studied in vitro and in vivo. Results showed that intragastric administration of HRW effectively promoted the elimination of urinary tritium, decreased the level of serum tritium and tissue-bound tritium (OBT), and attenuated the genetic damage of blood cells in mice exposed to HTO (18.5 MBq/kg). Pretreatment with HRW effectively reduces tritium accumulation in HTO-treated human blood B lymphocyte AHH-1 cells. In addition, the anti-oxidative properties of HRW could attenuate the increased intracellular ROS (such as O2•-, •OH and ONOO−), resulting in reversing the exhaustion of cellular endogenous antioxidants (reduced GSH and SOD), decreasing lipid peroxidation (MDA), relieving DNA oxidative damage, and depressing cell apoptosis and cytotoxicity induced by HTO exposure. In conclusion, HRW is expected to be an effective radioactive elimination agent through the competition effect of isotope exchange or a radioprotective agent by scavenging free radicals induced by HTO exposure.

Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies: Biological Effects, Countermeasures and Biodosimetry

“…H 2 mitigated radio-induced bone marrow damage in cancer patients without compromising the anti-tumor effects of radiotherapy according to a retrospective observational study [ 327 ]. In vitro and in vivo, H 2 -rich water promoted tritium elimination ( Table 1 ), reducing serum levels and tissue-bound tritium, and attenuated the genetic damage [ 328 ]. In addition to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects, H 2 can be easily administered through various routes with little adverse effects and great efficacy [ 317 , 318 , 325 ].…”

Molecular hydrogen is a promising therapeutic agent for pulmonary disease

“…Research has shown that molecular hydrogen produced by intestinal bacteria in the body suppresses increased hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) by suppressing intracellular •OH-mediated lipid peroxide formation and cellular senescence, thus contributing to the suppression of aging (Sakai et al, 2019). Genomic instability is one of the primary hallmarks of the aging process (Li et al, 2021). By reducing oxidative DNA damage, hydrogen can help maintain genomic stability.…”

Role of Molecular Hydrogen in Ageing and Ageing-Related Diseases

“…H 2 protects against DNA damage caused by various stimulations through its antioxidative effect. In radiation-caused DNA damage, H 2 alleviated nucleobase DNA damage in aerated aqueous solutions [ 48 ] and reversed exhausted cellular endogenous antioxidants [ 49 ]. In ultraviolet A- (UVA-) induced skin damage, H 2 significantly alleviated nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation of keratinocytes [ 50 ].…”