Long-term and daily use of molecular hydrogen induces reprogramming of liver metabolism in rats by modulating NADP/NADPH redox pathways . The article was published in the journal "Scientific Reports" in 2022.
Authors:
Yao Mawulikplimi Adzaon, Fei Xie, Yang Yi, Xue Jiang, Xiaokang Zhang, Jin He, Pengxiang Zhao, Mengyu Liu, Shiwen Ma, Xiumei Ma
These researchers represent leading scientific institutes in China specializing in environmental biology, life biology, and molecular hydrogen research.
Abstract:
The article, published in "Scientific Reports" in 2022, investigates the impact of prolonged and daily use of molecular hydrogen on liver metabolism in rats. The study found that hydrogen helps the liver reduce fat accumulation and increase its breakdown, leading to weight loss and reduced blood lipid levels.
Research Methods:
Molecular hydrogen was administered to rats in two forms over six months:
- Hydrogen-rich water (HRW): The rats drank water saturated with more than 800 micromoles of hydrogen, available to them for one hour twice a day.
- Hydrogen inhalation (HI): The rats inhaled a gas mixture containing 4% hydrogen and 96% air for one hour twice a day.
Key Findings:
- Hydrogen reduces fat formation (lipogenesis) and enhances fat breakdown (lipolysis) in the liver, leading to a decrease in visceral fat and brown adipose tissue, as well as a reduction in serum lipid levels.
- Using gene and substance analysis methods in cells (transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches), researchers found that hydrogen alters amino acid metabolism pathways and activates purine nucleotide and carbohydrate biosynthesis pathways.
- A central role in these changes is played by the molecule NADP, which is involved in energy transfer reactions in cells. Hydrogen increases the level of components requiring NADP and regulates the immune response.
- This study provides the first metabolomic and transcriptomic data explaining the molecular mechanisms of hydrogen's impact on liver metabolism with prolonged use.
In summary:
The article investigates the impact of prolonged and daily use of molecular hydrogen on liver metabolism in rats. It was shown that hydrogen reduces lipogenesis and enhances lipolysis in the liver, leading to a decrease in visceral fat and brown adipose tissue, as well as a reduction in serum lipid levels. Using transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches, scientists revealed that hydrogen alters amino acid metabolism pathways and activates purine nucleotide and carbohydrate biosynthesis pathways. NADP plays a central regulatory role in these changes, as evidenced by the increased levels of components of metabolic pathways requiring NADP as a substrate. It was also noted that hydrogen regulates the immune response. As a result, hydrogen reprograms liver metabolism by modulating NADP/NADPH pathways. This study provides the first metabolomic and transcriptomic data explaining the molecular mechanisms of hydrogen's impact on liver metabolism with prolonged use.
Conclusions:
Hydrogen helps the liver reduce fat accumulation and increase its breakdown.
Keywords:
Molecular hydrogen, metabolism, liver, NADP/NADPH pathways