Hydrogenized Water Effects on Protection of Brain Cells from Oxidative Stress and Glutamate Toxicity

Abstract

Hydrogenized water is known to have protective effects on cells and tissues, mainly through its antioxidant activities. Here we examined the protective effects of a commercial source of hydrogenized water on cultured human brain cells. Hydrogenized water was able to protect brain cells from oxidative stress and glutamate toxicity. At H 2 concentrations above 0.01 mM the glutathione levels increased in cultured brain cells. The level of glutathione rose from approximately 500 to approximately 850 μM at the maximum dose of hydrogenized water with an EC 50 of approximately 0.030 mM. Hydrogenized water was also able to enhance the signaling pathway for oxidative stress response mediated by Nrf2 (Nuclear factor erythroid 2 like factor). Treatment of cells with hydrogenized water at concentrations above 0.01 mM H 2 induced activation of Nrf2 (EC 50 approximately 0.05 mM). Hydrogenized water was also able to protect brain cells against glutamate toxicity. Using a DNA damage response element, (γH2AX, to monitor the damage of glutamate toxicity we found that concentrations of H 2 above 0.01 mM protected cells from glutamate damage with an EC 50 of approximately 0.05 mM H 2 . These in vitro results demonstrated that hydrogenized water can protect brain cells against common types of damage from oxidative stress and glutamate toxicity.

Antioxidant and Oxidative Stress: A Mutual Interplay in Age-Related Diseases

“…In the brain, glutathione is only presented in millimolar concentrations, and thus makes this organ prone to oxidative damage compared to other tissues in the body (Settineri et al, 2018 ). A disruption in glutathione homeostasis could induce oxidative stress and lead to neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (Mischley et al, 2013 ), Alzheimer's disease (Braidy et al, 2015 ), and dementia (Duffy et al, 2015 ) which impaired motor and cognitive functions.…”

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“…It has been found that Nrf2 is upregulated by ingestion of hydrogen-rich water. The researchers found an "increased Nrf2 activation response" (Settineri et al, 2018).…”

“…A recently published study has shown cell-protective effects by hydrogen administration in central nervous system diseases caused by oxidative stress. The researchers have found an increase in glutathione synthesis caused by hydrogen-mediated gene expression (Settineri et al, 2018).…”