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Effects of oral intake of hydrogen water on liver fibrogenesis in mice
Author(s) -
Koyama Yukinori,
Taura Kojiro,
Hatano Etsuro,
Tanabe Kazutaka,
Yamamoto Gen,
Nakamura Kojiro,
Yamanaka Kenya,
Kitamura Koji,
Narita Masato,
Nagata Hiromitsu,
Yanagida Atsuko,
Iida Taku,
Iwaisako Keiko,
Fujinawa Hikohito,
Uemoto Shinji
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
hepatology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.123
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1872-034X
pISSN - 1386-6346
DOI - 10.1111/hepr.12165
Subject(s) - thioacetamide , hepatic stellate cell , reactive oxygen species , hepatocyte , carbon tetrachloride , chemistry , liver injury , fibrosis , medicine , biochemistry , organic chemistry , in vitro
Aim Liver fibrosis is the universal consequence of chronic liver diseases. Sustained hepatocyte injury initiates an inflammatory response, thereby activating hepatic stellate cells, the principal fibrogenic cells in the liver. Reactive oxygen species are involved in liver injury and are a promising target for treating liver fibrosis. Hydrogen water is reported to have potential as a therapeutic tool for reactive oxygen species‐associated disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hydrogen water on liver fibrogenesis and the mechanisms underlying these effects. Methods C57BL /6 mice were fed with hydrogen water or control water, and subjected to carbon tetrachloride, thioacetamide and bile duct ligation treatments to induce liver fibrosis. Hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells were isolated from mice and cultured with or without hydrogen to test the effects of hydrogen on reactive oxygen species‐induced hepatocyte injuries or hepatic stellate cell activation. Results Oral intake of hydrogen water significantly suppressed liver fibrogenesis in the carbon tetrachloride and thioacetamide models, but these effects were not seen in the bile duct ligation model. Treatment of isolated hepatocyte with 1 μg/mL antimycin A generated hydroxyl radicals. Culturing in the hydrogen‐rich medium selectively suppressed the generation of hydroxyl radicals in hepatocytes and significantly suppressed hepatocyte death induced by antimycin A; however, it did not suppress hepatic stellate cell activation. Conclusion We conclude that hydrogen water protects hepatocytes from injury by scavenging hydroxyl radicals and thereby suppresses liver fibrogenesis in mice.