Article

Hydrogen Rich Water Improved Ventilatory, Perceptual and Lactate Responses to Exercise

August 2019
International Journal of Sports Medicine

DOI:10.1055/a-0991-0268

Project: Effect of molecular hydrogen administration on body response to exercise and recovery

Authors:

Michal Botek

Palacký University Olomouc

Jakub Krejci

Palacký University Olomouc

Andrew J Mckune

University of Canberra

Barbora Sládečková

Palacký University Olomouc

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The potential anti-fatigue and performance benefits of hydrogen rich water (HRW) have resulted in increased research interest over the past 5 years. The aim of this study was to assess physiological and perceptual responses to an incremental exercise protocol after administration of 600 ml HRW within 30 min before exercise. This randomized, double blinded placebo-controlled cross over study included twelve healthy males aged 27.1±4.9 years. The exercise protocol consisted of a 10 min warm-up at 1.0 W.kg-1, followed by 8 min at 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 W.kg-1, respectively. Cardio-respiratory variables, lactate and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed in the last minute of each step. A significantly lower blood lactate was found with HRW (4.0±1.6 and 8.9±2.2 mmol.l-1) compared to Placebo (5.1±1.9 and 10.6±3.0 mmol.l-1) at 3.0, and 4.0 W.kg-1, respectively. Ventilatory equivalent for oxygen and RPE exhibited significantly lower values with HRW (32.3±7.2, and 17.8±1.2 points, respectively) compared to Placebo (35.0±8.4, and 18.5±0.8 points, respectively) at 4 W.kg-1. To conclude, acute pre-exercise supplementation with HRW reduced blood lactate at higher exercise intensities, improved exercise-induced perception of effort, and ventilatory efficiency.

Effects of molecular hydrogen supplementation on fatigue and aerobic capacity in healthy adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2023

Background Fatigue is oftentimes induced by high-intensity exercise potentially via the exceeded amount of reactive oxygen species, leading to diminished functions (e.g., aerobic capacity) and increased risk of injuries. Studies indicate that molecular hydrogen (H2), with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, may be a promising strategy to alleviate fatigue and improve aerobic capacity. However, such effects have not been comprehensively characterized.Objective To systematically assess the effects of in taking H2 on fatigue and aerobic capacity in healthy adults.Methods The search was conducted in August 2022 in five databases. Studies with randomized controlled or crossover designs that investigated the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), and endurance performance were selected. The data (mean ± standard deviation and sample size) were extracted from the included studies and were converted into the standardized mean difference (SMD). Random-effects meta-analyses were performed. Subgroup analysis was used to analyze potential sources of heterogeneity due to intervention period, training status, and type of exercise.ResultsSeventeen publications (19 studies) consisting of 402 participants were included. The pooled effect sizes of H2 on RPE (SMDpooled = −0.38, 95%CI −0.65 to −0.11, p = 0.006, I2 = 33.6%, p = 0.149) and blood lactate (SMDpooled = −0.42, 95% CI −0.72 to −0.12, p = 0.006, I2 = 35.6%, p = 0.114) were small yet significant with low heterogeneity. The pooled effect sizes of H2 on VO2max and VO2peak (SMDpooled = 0.09, 95% CI −0.10 to 0.29, p = 0.333, I2 = 0%, p = 0.998) and endurance performance (SMDpooled = 0.01, 95% CI −0.23 to 0.25, p = 0.946, I2 = 0%, p > 0.999) were not significant and trivial without heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis revealed that the effects of H2 on fatigue were impacted significantly by the training status (i.e., untrained and trained), period of H2 implementation, and exercise types (i.e., continuous and intermittent exercises).Conclusions This meta-analysis provides moderate evidence that H2 supplementation alleviates fatigue but does not enhance aerobic capacity in healthy adults.Systematic review registrationwww.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier: CRD42022351559.

Effects of carbohydrate-electrolyte dissolved alkaline electrolyzed water on physiological responses during exercise under heat stress in physically active men

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2022

Purpose This study investigated the effects of 1400 mL intake of alkaline electrolyzed water (AEW) or purified water (PW) into which carbohydrate-electrolyte (CE) was dissolved on improving physiological responses during exercise under heat stress. Methods This double-blinded, crossover randomized controlled trial included 10 male participants who completed two exercise trials in a hot environment (35 °C, ambient temperature, and 50% relative humidity) after consuming CE-dissolved PW (P-CE) or CE-dissolved AEW (A-CE). The exercise trial consisted of running for 30 minutes on a treadmill (at an intensity corresponding to 65% of heart rate reserve adjusted for heat stress conditions) and repeated sprint cycling (10 × 7-s maximal sprint cycling), with a 35-min rest interval between the two exercises, followed by a 30-min post-exercise recovery period. Before and after running, and after cycling, the participants drank P-CE (hydrogen concentration of 0 ppm, pH 3.8) or A-CE (0.3 ppm, pH 4.1). Blood samples were obtained before, during (rest interval between running and cycling), and post-exercise. Results Repeated sprint performance and oxidative stress response did not differ between the P-CE and A-CE trials. A-CE consumption significantly attenuated the increase in blood lactate concentration during the running exercise but not during repeated sprint cycling under heat stress conditions. Conclusion Our findings suggested that A-CE did not significantly affect repeated sprint performance; however, the attenuated elevation in blood lactate by A-CE ingestion implies a partial enhancement of endurance performance during submaximal exercise under heat stress.

Molecular Hydrogen as a Medical Gas for the Treatment of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Possible Efficacy Based on a Literature Review

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2022

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a disorder that is characterized by fatigue that persists for more than 6 months, weakness, sleep disturbances, and cognitive dysfunction. There are multiple possible etiologies for ME/CFS, among which mitochondrial dysfunction plays a major role in abnormal energy metabolism. The potential of many substances for the treatment of ME/CFS has been examined; however, satisfactory outcomes have not yet been achieved. The development of new substances for curative, not symptomatic, treatments is desired. Molecular hydrogen (H2) ameliorates mitochondrial dysfunction by scavenging hydroxyl radicals, the most potent oxidant among reactive oxygen species. Animal experiments and clinical trials reported that H2 exerted ameliorative effects on acute and chronic fatigue. Therefore, we conducted a literature review on the mechanism by which H2 improves acute and chronic fatigue in animals and healthy people and showed that the attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction by H2 may be involved in the ameliorative effects. Although further clinical trials are needed to determine the efficacy and mechanism of H2 gas in ME/CFS, our literature review suggested that H2 gas may be an effective medical gas for the treatment of ME/CFS.

Molecular Hydrogen Mitigates Performance Decrement during Repeated Sprints in Professional Soccer Players

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2022

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) supplementation has been shown to have an antifatigue effect across different modes of exercise. However, its effect on repeated sprint performance is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of pre-exercise HRWconsumption on repeated sprint performance, lactate, and perceptual responses using a repeated sprint protocol. This randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled, crossover study included 16 professional, male soccer players aged 18.8 � 1.2 years. Athletes performed two indoor tests, particularly 15 � 30 m track sprints interspersed by 20 s of recovery, separated by a 1-week washout period. Sprint time was measured at 15 m and 30 m. Ratings of perceived exertion were assessed immediately after each sprint, and post-exercise blood lactate concentration was measured after the last sprint. There were significantly faster sprint times after HRW consumption compared with placebo at 15 m for the 14th and 15th sprints, representing improvements in time of 3.4% and 2.7%, respectively. Sprint time at 30 m also significantly improved by 1.9% in the HRWgroup in the last sprint. However, neither lactate concentrations nor ratings of perceived exertion were significantly different between HRW and placebo. Pre-exercise HRW supplementation is associated with an increased ability to reduce fatigue, especially during the later stages of repeated sprint exercise.

Citation

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2022

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) supplementation has been shown to have an antifatigue effect across different modes of exercise. However, its effect on repeated sprint performance is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of pre-exercise HRW consumption on repeated sprint performance, lactate, and perceptual responses using a repeated sprint protocol. This randomized, double blinded, placebo controlled, crossover study included 16 professional, male soccer players aged 18.8 ± 1.2 years. Athletes performed two indoor tests, particularly 15 × 30 m track sprints interspersed by 20 s of recovery, separated by a 1-week washout period. Sprint time was measured at 15 m and 30 m. Ratings of perceived exertion were assessed immediately after each sprint, and post-exercise blood lactate concentration was measured after the last sprint. There were significantly faster sprint times after HRW consumption compared with placebo at 15 m for the 14th and 15th sprints, representing improvements in time of 3.4% and 2.7%, respectively. Sprint time at 30 m also significantly improved by 1.9% in the HRW group in the last sprint. However, neither lactate concentrations nor ratings of perceived exertion were significantly different between HRW and placebo. Pre-exercise HRW supplementation is associated with an increased ability to reduce fatigue, especially during the later stages of repeated sprint exercise.

Hydrogen Rich Water Consumption Positively Affects Muscle Performance, Lactate Response, and Alleviates Delayed Onset of Muscle Soreness After Resistance Training

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2021
J STRENGTH COND RES

Botek, M, Krejčí, J, McKune, A, Valenta, M, and Sládečková, B. Hydrogen rich water consumption positively affects muscle performance, lactate response, and alleviates delayed onset of muscle soreness after resistance training. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2021-Positive outcomes of hydrogen rich water (HRW) supplementation on endurance performance have been shown, but the effects of HRW in resistance training are unclear. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 1,260 ml of HRW intake on physiological, perceptual, and performance responses to a resistance training and after 24 hours of recovery. This randomized, double-blinded placebo-controlled cross-over study included 12 men aged 23.8 ± 1.9 years. Subjects performed a half squat, knee flexion, and extension exercises with the load set at 70% of 1 repetition maximum for 3 sets (10 reps/set). Lunges were performed with a load of 30% of body mass for 3 sets (20 reps/set). Time of each set, lactate, and ratings of perceived exertion were assessed mid-way through exercise and immediately after the exercise. Creatine kinase, muscle soreness visual analog scale ratings, countermovement jump, and heart rate variability were evaluated before the training and at 30 minutes, 6, and 24 hours of recovery. Lunges were performed faster with HRW compared with placebo (p < 0.001). Hydrogen rich water reduced lactate at mid-way and immediately after the exercise (HRW: 5.3 ± 2.1 and 5.1 ± 2.2, placebo: 6.5 ± 1.8 and 6.3 ± 2.2 mmol·L-1, p ≤ 0.008). Visual analog scale ratings were significantly lower with HRW (26 ± 11 vs. 41 ± 20 mm, p = 0.002) after 24 hours of recovery. In conclusion, an acute intermittent HRW hydration improved muscle function, reduced the lactate response, and alleviated delayed onset of muscle soreness.

Acute ingestion of hydrogen-rich water does not improve incremental treadmill running performance in endurance-trained athletes

Article

Nov 2019

There is emerging evidence that hydrogen-rich water (H 2 -water) has beneficial effects on the physiological responses to exercise. However, few studies investigate its ergogenic potential. This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of H 2 -water ingestion on physiological responses and exercise performance during incremental treadmill running. In a double-blind crossover design, 14 endurance-trained male runners (age, 34 ± 4 years; body mass, 63.1 ± 7.2 kg; height, 1.72 ± 0.05 m) were randomly assigned to ingest 2 doses of 290-mL H 2 -water or placebo on each occasion. The first bolus was given before six 4-min submaximal running bouts, and the second bolus was consumed before the maximal incremental running test. Expired gas, heart rate (HR), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded; blood samples were collected at the end of each submaximal stage and post maximal running test. Cardiorespiratory responses, RPE, and blood gas indices were not significantly different at each submaximal running intensity (range: 34%–91% maximal oxygen uptake) between H 2 -water and placebo trials. No statistical difference was observed in running time to exhaustion (618 ± 126 vs. 619 ± 113 s), maximal oxygen uptake (56.9 ± 4.4 vs. 57.1 ± 4.7 mL·kg ⁻¹ ·min ⁻¹ ), maximal HR (184 ± 7 vs. 184 ± 7 beat·min ⁻¹ ), and RPE (19 ± 1 vs. 19 ± 1) in the runners between the trials. The results suggest that the ingestion of 290 mL of H 2 -water before submaximal treadmill running and an additional dose before the subsequent incremental running to exhaustion were not sufficiently ergogenic in endurance-trained athletes. Novelty Acute ingestion of H 2 -water does not seem to be ergogenic for endurance performance. A small dose of H 2 -water does not modulate buffering capacity during intense endurance exercise in athletes.

Acute hydrogen-rich water ingestion stimulates cardiac autonomic activity in healthy females

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2021

Background: Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has been shown to have a stimulating effect on the human body. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of acute HRW intake on autonomic cardiac regulation during 50 min of rest sitting. Methods: Fourteen healthy females (age 21.7 ± 1.2 years, body mass 67.8 ± 8.7 kg, height 167 ± 5.5 cm) took part in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with crossover design. Heart rate variability (HRV) was monitored in the sitting position after administration of 1260 ml of HRW or placebo. Time domain indexes of HRV as the square root of the mean of the squares of differences between adjacent RR intervals (RMSSD), the standard deviation of all RR intervals (SDNN) and the ratio of SDNN/RMSSD as an index of sympatho-vagal balance were used to assess autonomic cardiac response. The values were transformed using natural logarithm (Ln). Results: After administration of HRW, we found significantly increased ratio Ln SDNN/RMSSD when comparing it to placebo in 25 min (HRW: 0.40 ± 0.30, placebo: 0.26 ± 0.25, p = .049) and 35 min (HRW: 0.44 ± 0.30, placebo: 0.28 ± 0.28, p = .029) of rest sitting. Ln SDNN was significantly increased after HRW administration when compared to placebo in 45 min (HRW: 4.41 ± 0.42 ms, placebo: 4.28 ± 0.31 ms, p = .049) of rest sitting. Conclusions: Acute HRW ingestion induced a relative increase in sympathetic activity between 25 and 35 min post-ingestion, whereas vagal activity was not affected.

Influence of “Sneznik-1/79” Mineral Water on Anthropometric, Functional and Biochemical Parameters of Professional Basketball Players: Role of Oxidative Stress

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2022

Adequate hydration represents the balance between the water intake and loss and has an unambiguous significance for public health and it is essential to sustain life. The changes in electrolyte balance which occur during and after training affect on athletes health and performance. Therefore, fluid replacement with adequate mineral composition is of utmost importance. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of low mineral water from the well Sneznik-1/79 on anthropometric, functional, biochemical parameters and redox status of professional basketball players. In total, 17 male basketball players were included, during the pre-competitive mesocycle, and after the initial testing, they were randomly divided into two groups: group 1 - consumed the commercial drinking water for four weeks (n=7), and group 2 - consumed water from the well Sneznik-1/79 for four weeks (n=10). Determination of the anthropometric, functional, biochemical parameters and redox status was performed. Our results pointed out that consumption of mineral water from the well Sneznik is completely safe from the aspect of affecting various anthropometric, functional and biochemical parameters as well as systemic oxidative stress of professional athletes. In addition, existence of discretely better effects over commercial drinking water indicates that a long period of monitoring may certainly be of interest for further investigation.

The Influence of Molecular Hydrogen Therapies in Managing the Symptoms of Acute and Chronic COVID-19

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2022

Coronavirus Infectious Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2) that emerged as a novel pathogen of global concern in the latter stages of 2019. COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease which can be transmitted through aerosol droplets and surface-to-host contact. Both symptomology and the severity of disease can vary wildly between individuals, from asymptomatic but infectious, to those that require critical care. Due to the neoteric emergence of SARS-CoV-2, current treatment strategies are not yet well developed and rely on the repurposing of such medications as antiviral, corticosteroid, immunosuppressant and oxygen (O2) therapies. However, the minimal efficacy of these interventions is concerning. In addition to the acute infection that prevails, it is estimated that up to 30% of adults who contract COVID-19 develop chronic symptoms lasting longer than 12 weeks. It is also estimated that 15% of children aged 2-16 years have developed long-lasting sequelae associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. According to recent clinical data, molecular hydrogen (H2) and oxy-hydrogen (H2/O2) therapies successfully remediated the debilitating effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults. By acting as an effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidative agent, it is reported that H2 administration can improve recovery through abatement of the hyperinflammatory cytokine cascade and reduction of inhalation resistance in patients with mild-moderate disease symptoms. In this review, the authors investigate the clinical and empirical evidence relating to treating the symptoms of both acute and chronic COVID-19 with H2-containing therapeutics.

Narrative on Hydrogen Therapy and its Clinical Applications: Safety and Efficacy

Article

Jul 2022
CURR PHARM DESIGN

Molecular hydrogen proved itself as a novel therapeutic candidate and has been thriving from the beginning with its potential clinical significance, higher affinity, and cellular integrity and permeability. Hydrogen Therapy (HT) has gained scientists' attention with the proven clinical ability to attenuate chronic inflammation, diminish oxidative stress, restrict apoptosis, minimize cellular injury, and refine tissue functioning. Therapeutic Implementation of H2 for disease prevention and treatment is a newly emerging field with limited knowledge available on formulations, tissue-specific effects, efficacy, and safety. This article will discuss HT's therapeutic potential for its efficacy and safety in cardiovascular, respiratory, hematological, metabolic, infectious, and neurodegenerative disorders. In addition to this, the molecular mechanisms and nanotechnological implications of hydrogen therapy will be discussed in detail. Finally, the article will provide insight into advancements and automation, future perspectives, and recommendations. There is a need to study and conduct higher-scale trials targeting personalized treatments under molecular and genetic vitals.

Molecular Hydrogen Mediates Neurorestorative Effects After Stroke in Diabetic Rats: the TLR4/NF-κB Inflammatory Pathway

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2022
J NEUROIMMUNE PHARM

Diabetes is an independent risk factor for stroke and amplifies inflammation. Diabetic stroke is associated with a higher risk of death and worse neural function. The identification of effective anti-inflammatory molecules with translational advantages is particularly important to promote perioperative neurorestorative effects. Applying molecular hydrogen, we measured blood glucose levels before and after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), 48-h cerebral oedema and infarct volumes, as well as 28-day weight, survival and neurological function. We also measured the levels of TLR4, NF-κB p65, phosphorylated NF-κB p65, catecholamines, acetylcholine and inflammatory factors. All measurements comprehensively showed the positive effect and translational advantage of molecular hydrogen on diabetic stroke. Molecular hydrogen improved the weight, survival and long-term neurological function of rats with diabetic stroke and alleviated changes in blood glucose levels before and after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), but no difference in circadian rhythm was observed. Molecular hydrogen inhibited the phosphorylation of NF-κB and significantly reduced inflammation. Molecular hydrogen mediates neurorestorative effects after stroke in diabetic rats. The effect is independent of circadian rhythms, indicating translational advantages. The molecular mechanism is related to the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and inflammation. Graphical abstract Molecular hydrogen (H2) affects outcomes of ischemic stroke with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Short-Term Consumption of Hydrogen-Rich Water Enhances Power Performance and Heart Rate Recovery in Dragon Boat Athletes: Evidence from a Pilot Study

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2022
Int J Environ Res Publ Health

(1) Background: Exercise that exceeds the body’s accustomed load can lead to oxidative stress and increased fatigue during intense training or competition, resulting in decreased athletic performance and an increased risk of injury, and the new medicinal H2 may be beneficial as an antioxidant. Therefore, we explored the effect of short-term supplementation of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on the work performance and fatigue recovery of dragon boat athletes after training. (2) Methods: Eighteen dragon boat athletes who trained for 4 h a day (2 h in the morning and 2 h in the afternoon) were divided into an HRW group (n = 9) and a placebo water (PW) group (n = 9), drinking HRW or PW for 7 days. Each participant completed 30 s rowing dynamometer tests, monitoring the heart rate at baseline (i.e., Day 1) and after the intervention (on Day 8). (3) Result: Drinking HRW increased the maximum power and average power of the 30 s rowing test and decreased the maximum heart rate during the period. After the rowing test, the HRW group’s heart rate dropped significantly after 2 min of recovery, while the PW group’s heart rate did not drop. There was no significant difference between the 30 s rowing distance and the predicted duration of rowing 500 m. (4) Conclusions: Drinking HRW in the short term can effectively improve the power performance of dragon boat athletes and is conducive to the recovery of the heart rate after exercise, indicating that HRW may be a suitable means of hydration for athletes.

Molecular Hydrogen Positively Affects Physical and Respiratory Function in Acute Post-COVID-19 Patients: A New Perspective in Rehabilitation

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2022
Int J Environ Res Publ Health

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is potentially a novel therapeutic gas for acute post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients because it has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptosis, and antifatigue properties. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of 14 days of H2 inhalation on the respiratory and physical fitness status of acute post-COVID-19 patients. This random-ized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study included 26 males (44 ± 17 years) and 24 females (38 ± 12 years), who performed a 6-min walking test (6 MWT) and pulmonary function test, specifically forced vital capacity (FVC) and expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1). Symptomatic participants were recruited between 21 and 33 days after a positive polymerase chain reaction test. The experiment consisted of H2/placebo inhalation, 2 × 60 min/day for 14 days. Results showed that H2 therapy, compared with placebo, significantly increased 6 MWT distance by 64 ± 39 m, FVC by 0.19 ± 0.24 L, and, in FEV1, by 0.11 ± 0.28 L (all p ≤ 0.025). In conclusion, H2 inhalation had beneficial health effects in terms of improved physical and respiratory function in acute post-COVID-19 patients. Therefore, H2 inhalation may represent a safe, effective approach for accelerating early function restoration in post-COVID-19 patients.

Different Waters for Different Performances: Can We Imagine Sport-Related Natural Mineral Spring Waters?

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2021

Preserving the hydration status means to balance daily fluids and salt losses with gains, where the losses depend on several physiological and environmental factors. Especially for athletes, these losses could be relevant and negatively influence the performance: therefore, their hydro-saline status must be preserved with personalized pre- and rehydration plans all along the performance period. Scientific literature in this field is mainly dedicated to artificial sport drinks. Different territories in most world areas are rich in drinking natural mineral spring waters with saline compositions that reflect their geological origin and that are used for human health (often under medical prescription). However, scarce scientific attention has been dedicated to the use of these waters for athletes. We therefore reviewed the existing literature from the innovative viewpoint of matching spring water mineral compositions with different athletic performances and their hydro-saline requirements.

Molecular hydrogen downregulates acute exhaustive exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage

Article

Jan 2021
CAN J PHYSIOL PHARM

Physical exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage may be characterized by increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis which may be beneficial when exercise is regular, but it is rather harmful when exercise is exhaustive and performed acutely by unaccustomed individuals. Molecular hydrogen (H 2) has emerged as a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic agent, but its action on the deleterious effects of acute exhaustive exercise in muscle damage remain unknown. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that H 2 decreases acute exhaustive exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage of sedentary rats. Rats ran to exhaustion on a sealed treadmill inhaling an H 2-containing mixture or the control gas. We measured oxidative stress (SOD, GSH, and TBARS), inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and NF-kB phosphorylation) and apoptotic (expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2, and HSP70) markers. Exercise caused no changes in SOD activity but increased TBARS levels. H 2 caused increases in exercise-induced SOD activity and blunted exercise-induced increased TBARS levels. We observed exercise-induced TNF-α and IL-6 surges as well as NF-kB phosphorylation, which were blunted by H 2. Exercise increased cleaved caspase-3 expression, and H 2 reduced this response. In conclusion, H 2 effectively downregulates muscle damage, reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis after acute exhaustive exercise performed by an unaccustomed organism.

Influence of “Sneznik-1/79” Mineral Water on Anthropometric, Functional and Biochemical Parameters of Professional Basketball Players: Role of Oxidative Stress

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2020

Adequate hydration represents the balance between the water intake and loss and has an unambiguous significance for public health and it is essential to sustain life. The changes in electrolyte balance which occur during and after training affect on athletes health and performance. Therefore, fluid replacement with adequate mineral composition is of utmost importance. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of low mineral water from the well Sneznik-1/79 on anthropometric, functional, biochemical parameters and redox status of professional basketball players. In total, 17 male basketball players were included, during the pre-competitive mesocycle, and after the initial testing, they were randomly divided into two groups: group 1 – consumed the commercial drinking water for four weeks (n = 7), and group 2 – consumed water from the well Sneznik-1/79 for four weeks (n = 10). Determination of the anthropometric, functional, biochemical parameters and redox status was performed. Our results pointed out that consumption of mineral water from the well Sneznik is completely safe from the aspect of affecting various anthropometric, functional and biochemical parameters as well as systemic oxidative stress of professional athletes. In addition, existence of discretely better effects over commercial drinking water indicates that a long period of monitoring may certainly be of interest for further investigation.

Hydrogen-Rich Water Supplementation and Up-Hill Running Performance: Effect of Athlete Performance Level

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2020

Purpose: Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) has been shown to have an antifatigue effect. This study assessed up-hill running performance, as well as physiological and perceptual responses after supplementation with 1680 mL HRW between 24 h and 40 min before running, in athletes of heterogeneous running ability. Methods: Sixteen males (mean [SD] age 31.6 [8.6] y, VO2max 57.2 [8.9] mL·kg-1·min-1, body fat 13.4% [4.4%]) participated in this study. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, participants consumed either HRW or placebo prior to performing two 4.2-km up-hill races separated by a week. Race time (RT), average race heart rate, and immediately postrace rating of perceived exertion were assessed. Results: After analysis of data for all runners, HRW effect was unclear (-10 to 7 s, 90% confidence interval) for RT, likely trivial for heart rate (-2 to 3 beats·min-1), and likely trivial for postrace rating of perceived exertion (-0.1 to 1.0). A possible negative correlation was found between RT differences and average RT (r = -.79 to -.15). HRW for the 4 slowest runners (RT = 1490 [91] s) likely improved the RT (-36 to -3 s), whereas for the 4 fastest runners (RT = 1069 [53] s) the performance effect of HRW was unclear (-10 to 26 s). Conclusions: HRW intake had an unclear antifatigue effect on performance in terms of mean group values. However, it appears that the magnitude of the antifatigue effect of HRW on performance depends on individual running ability.

Application of Molecular Hydrogen as a Novel Antioxidant in Sports Science

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2020
OXID MED CELL LONGEV

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, and minimal molecule with high flammability. Although H2 has been thought to be an inert gas in living bodies for many years, an animal study reported that inhalation of H2 gas decreased oxidative stress and suppressed brain injury caused by ischemia and reperfusion injury due to its antioxidant action. Since then, the antioxidant action of H2 has attracted considerable attention and many studies have reported on its benefits. Most studies have reported the effects of H2 on diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cerebral infarction, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, little is known regarding its effects on healthy subjects and exercise. Thus far, including our study, only 6 studies have explored the effect of H2 on exercise. H2 is the smallest molecule and therefore can easily penetrate the cellular membrane and rapidly diffuse into organelles. H2 is thought to be able to selectively reduce hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite and does not affect physiologically reactive species. H2 can be supplied to the body through multiple routes of administration, such as oral intake of H2 water and H2 bathing. Therefore, H2 may be a potential alternative strategy for conventional exogenous antioxidant interventions in sports science. The purpose of this review is to provide evidence regarding the effects of H2 intake on changes in physiological and biochemical parameters, centering on exercise-induced oxidative stress, for each intake method. Furthermore, this review highlights possible future directions in this area of research.

Acute pre-exercise hydrogen rich water intake does not improve running performance at maximal aerobic speed in trained track and field runners: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2022
PLOS ONE

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of acute, pre-exercise, hydrogen rich water (HRW) ingestion on running time to exhaustion at maximal aerobic speed in trained track and field runners. Methods: Twenty-four, male runners aged 17.5 ± 1.8 years, with body mass index = 21.0 ± 1.3 kg⋅m-2, and maximal oxygen uptake = 55.0 ± 4.6 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1 (mean ± standard deviation) participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. All runners ingested 1260 ml of HRW which was divided into four doses and taken at 120 min (420 ml), 60 min (420 ml), 30 min (210 ml), and 10 min (210 ml) prior to exercise. The running protocol consisted of three phases: warm-up performed at 10 km⋅h-1 for 3 min, followed by a transition phase performed at an individually determined speed (10 km⋅h-1 + maximal aerobic speed)/2 for 1 min, and finally the third phase performed at individual maximal aerobic speed until exhaustion. Time to exhaustion, cardiorespiratory variables, and post-exercise blood lactate concentration were measured. Results: When running to exhaustion at maximal aerobic speed, compared with placebo, HRW had no significant effects on the following variables: time to exhaustion (217 ± 49 and 227 ± 53 s, p = 0.20), post-exercise blood lactate concentration (9.9 ± 2.2 and 10.1 ± 2.0 mmol⋅L-1, p = 0.42), maximal heart rate (186 ± 9 and 186 ± 9 beats⋅min-1, p = 0.80), and oxygen uptake (53.1 ± 4.5 and 52.2 ± 4.7 ml⋅kg-1⋅min-1, p = 0.33). No variable assessed as a candidate moderator was significantly correlated with time to exhaustion (Spearman's correlation coefficients ranged from -0.28 to 0.30, all p ≥ 0.16). Conclusions: Pre-exercise administration of 1260 ml of HRW showed no ergogenic effect on running performance to exhaustion at maximal aerobic speed in trained track and field runners.

Effects of pre-exercise H2 inhalation on physical fatigue and related prefrontal cortex activation during and after high-intensity exercise

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2022

Objective: In this study, we examined the effects of pre-exercise H 2 gas inhalation on physical fatigue (PF) and prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation during and after high-intensity cycling exercise. Methods: Twenty-four young men completed four study visits. On the first two visits, the maximum workload (W max ) of cycling exercise of each participant was determined. On each of the other two visits, participants inhaled 20 min of either H 2 gas or placebo gas after a baseline test of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of thigh. Then participants performed cycling exercise under their maximum workload. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), heart rate (HR) and the PFC activation by using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was measured throughout cycling exercise. The MVIC was measured again after the cycling. Results: It was observed that compared to control, after inhaling H 2 gas, participants had significantly lower RPE at each workload phase ( p < 0.032) and lower HR at 50% W max , 75% W max , and 100% W max during cycling exercise ( p < 0.037); the PFC activation was also significantly increased at 75 and 100% W max ( p < 0.011). Moreover, the H 2 -induced changes in PF were significantly associated with that in PFC activation, that is, those who had higher PFC activation had lower RPE at 75% W max ( p = 0.010) and lower HR at 100% W ma x ( p = 0.016), respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that pre-exercise inhalation of H 2 gas can alleviate PF, potentially by maintaining high PFC activation during high-intensity exercise in healthy young adults.

Hydrogen water as a treatment for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome: a pilot randomized trial

Article

Feb 2022

Background: Given the absence of effective medical treatments for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), the testing of a new intervention that may ameliorate potentially pathologic levels of oxidative stress, sympathetic arousal, and inflammation may yield symptomatic improvements. Objective: To explore in a pilot study, the possible beneficial effect of molecular hydrogen (H2) for the symptoms and functional limitations of ME/CFS. Methods: Twenty-three subjects were randomized to H2 or active placebo which involved drinking up to five glasses daily of hydrogen-enriched water or placebo water for 28 days. Assessments included: (i) self-report fatigue, physical function, and stress; (ii) salivary C-Reactive Protein (inflammation), Uric Acid (antioxidant status), and Alpha-Amylase (sympathetic function); and (iii) heart rate variability (parasympathetic activity). Data were analysed with Wilcoxon rank-sum tests. Results: Completion rate for the primary outcome measure of fatigue severity was 100% for the 11 hydrogen participants and 91.7% (n = 11) for placebo participants. No significant changes were found on self-report or biological variables in the active vs. placebo treatment conditions. A small, but significant reduction in fatigue was found in the placebo condition. Adverse effects led to treatment discontinuation in 27.2% of H2 subjects. All severe- and moderate-intensity effects were found in the active treatment condition. Adverse effects were not significantly associated with any demographic or symptom variable. Conclusions: Therapeutic molecular hydrogen did not yield improvement on any biological or symptom measure in individuals with ME/CFS. Dosage reduction might benefit any future trial of hydrogen therapy in this illness. Clinical trials# NCT05013606 Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05013606.

STATE AND PROSPECTS USING MOLECULAR HYDROGEN FOR ATHLETES

Article

Jan 2020

Introduction. The study of molecular hydrogen as the latest therapeutic and prophylactic corrector of metabolism has been successfully tested on more than 170 models of pathological conditions. Its effective antioxidant, cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory effect on the body has been proven. Separate studies of the effects of molecular hydrogen have been conducted on athletes. The aim of the study - to investigate the level of research and efficiency of using molecular hydrogen in sports medicine and to predict the algorithm of its further research and practical use. Research Methods: Analysis, generalization of data of professional scientific literature for researching the effect of molecular hydrogen in physical culture and sports and identify opportunities and criteria for its use for athletes and physically active people Results. An analytical study based on the results of professional publications about the effective use of molecular hydrogen for athletes in the world was conducted. The advantages and disadvantages of using molecular hydrogen for the organism are reasoned. Ways and methods of entry of molecular hydrogen into the body are described. Inventions of molecular hydrogen generators of Ukrainian scientists, their advantages over foreign analogues and possibilities of their application in sports are shown. Conclusions. Today in view of the analysis of the situation with the use of molecular hydrogen for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes in medicine and sports medicine in particular, the algorithm of prospects for its further research and practical application follows. Firstly, to study the optimal protocol for the intake of molecular hydrogen, depending on the intensity of physical activity, body weight, age, sex, comorbidities, etc.; secondly, to develop personalized antioxidant strategies for the using molecular hydrogen, taking into account the individual redox characteristics of individuals; thirdly, to investigate the consequences of long-term intake of H2 during exercise; fourthly, to reveal the alternative mechanism underlying the antioxidant action and other positive effects of molecular hydrogen. Key words: sports medicine, hydrogen water, «TIG «Liwing Water»», redox potential, oxidative stress.

Hydrogen: A Potential New Adjuvant Therapy for COVID-19 Patients

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2020

Hydrogen has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hormone-regulating, and apoptosis-resistance properties, among others. Based on a review of the research, the use of hydrogen might reduce the destructive cytokine storm and lung injury caused by SARS-CoV-2 during COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) in the early stage, stimulating ropy sputum drainage, and ultimately reducing the incidence of severe disease. Molecular hydrogen treatment has the potential to become a new adjuvant therapy for COVID-19, but its efficacy and safety require large clinical trials and further confirmation.

Effects of 7-day intake of hydrogen-rich water on physical performance of trained and untrained subjects

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2020
BIOL SPORT

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) is used as a supplement to improve performance and reduce fatigue in athletes. However, the potentially beneficial effects of HRW intake could be mediated by the training status of athletes. The purpose of the study was to analyse the ergogenic effect of intake of HRW for one week on aerobic and anaerobic performance, both in trained and untrained individuals. Thirty-seven volunteers participated in the study and were divided into two experimental groups: trained cyclists and untrained subjects. A doubleblind crossover design was performed in which all subjects took a placebo (PW) and nano-bubble HRW (pH: 7.5; hydrogen concentration: 1.9 ppm; oxidation-reduction potential (ORP): -600 mV). At the end of 7-day intake, performance was assessed by an incremental VO2max test and by a maximum anaerobic test. After HRW intake, only trained cyclists improved their performance in the anaerobic test with an increase in peak power (from 766.2 ± 125.6 to 826.5 ± 143.4 W; d = .51) and mean power (from 350.0 ± 53.5 to 380.2 ± 71.3 W; d = .51), and a decrease in the fatigue index (from 77.6 ± 5.8 to 75.1 ± 5.9%; d = .45). The findings demonstrate that the ergogenic effect of HRW is mediated by the training status, and that 7-day intake of HRW would be an effective strategy for improving anaerobic performance in trained cyclists.

Hydrogen Gas as an Exotic Performance-Enhancing Agent: Challenges and Opportunities

Article

Sep 2020

Sergej Ostojic

Background: Hydrogen gas (H2 ) has entered the world of experimental therapeutics approximately four and a half decades ago. Over the years, this simple molecule appears to drive more and more scientific attention perhaps due to a dualism of H2 affirmative features demonstrated in numerous in vitro, animal and human studies on one side, and stillpuzzling mechanism(s) of its biological activity on the other. Up to this point, H2 was scrutinized for more than 170 different disease models and pathologies, and many research groups across the world have lately started to dynamically investigate its conceivable performance-enhancing potential. Methods: We outlined here the studies indexed in leading research databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, JSTORE) that explored the effects of hydrogen on exercise performance, and also addressed important restraints, open questions, and windows of opportunities for forthcoming research and possible H2 enactment in exercise physiology. About two dozen trials have been identified in this domain, with most published during the past 5 years, while drinking hydrogen-rich water recognized as the most convenient method to deliver H2 in both animal and human studies. Results: Either administered as an inhalational gas, enteral hydrogen-rich water, or intravenous hydrogen-rich saline, H2 seems to favorably affect various exercise performance outcomes and biomarkers of exercise-associated fatigue, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Not all studies have shown corroborative effects, and it appears that the gold-standard protocol for applying H2 in the field of exercise science does not exist at the moment, with studies markedly differ in the dose of H2 administered, the duration of a treatment, and the source of hydrogen. Conclusion: H2 is a newfangled and rather effective performance-enhancing agent yet its promising ergogenic potency has to be further validated and characterized in more well-controlled, appropriately sampled and long-term mechanistic trials. Also, appropriate regulation of hydrogen utilization in sport as an exotic medical gas may require distinctive legislative actions of relevant regulatory agencies in the future.

Acute Supplementation with Molecular Hydrogen Benefits Submaximal Exercise Indices. Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Pilot Study

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2019

Background Clinical studies have reported hydrogen-rich water (HRW) to have therapeutic and ergogenic effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of acute supplementation with HRW on exercise performance as measured by VO2, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR). Methods Baseline levels of all exercise indices were determined in nineteen (4 female, 23.4 ± 9.1 yr; 15 male, 30.5 ± 6.8 yr) healthy subjects using a graded treadmill exercise test to exhaustion. Each subject was examined two additional times in a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover fashion. Subjects received either HRW or placebo, which was consumed the day before and the day of the testing. HRW was delivered using the hydrogen-producing tablets, DrinkHRW (5 mg of H2). All data was analyzed with SPSS using pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni adjustment. Results HRW supplementation did not influence maximal or minimal indices of exercise performance (VO2, RER, HR and RR) (p < 0.05). However, HRW significantly decreased average exercising RR and HR (p < 0.05). HRW decreased exercising HR during minutes 1–9 of the graded exercise test (121 ± 26 bpm) compared to placebo (126 ± 26 bpm) and baseline (124 ± 27 bpm) (p < 0.001) without substantially influencing VO2. Conclusion Acute supplementation of DrinkHRW tablets may benefit submaximal aerobic exercise performance by lowering exercising HR. Further studies are needed to determine the influence and practical significance of HRW on varying exercise intensities as well as optimal dosing protocols and the effects of chronic use.

Hydrogen Water Drinking Exerts Antifatigue Effects in Chronic Forced Swimming Mice via Antioxidative and Anti-Inflammatory Activities

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2018
BMRI

Purpose. This study was performed to evaluate antifatigue effect of hydrogen water (HW) drinking in chronic forced exercise mice model. Materials and Methods. Twelve-week-old C57BL6 female mice were divided into nonstressed normal control (NC) group and stressed group: (purified water/PW-treated group and HW-treated group). Stressed groups were supplied with PW and HW, respectively, ad libitum and forced to swim for the stress induction every day for 4 consecutive weeks. Gross antifatigue effects of HW were assessed by swimming endurance capacity (once weekly for 4 wk), metabolic activities, and immune-redox activities. Metabolic activities such as blood glucose, lactate, glycogen, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as immune-redox activities such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase, and the related cytokines were evaluated to elucidate underlying mechanism. Blood glucose and lactate were measured at 0 wk (before swimming) and 4 wk (after swimming). Results. HW group showed a higher swimming endurance capacity (p

The Science and Translation of Lactate Shuttle Theory

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2018
CELL METAB

George A Brooks

Once thought to be a waste product of anaerobic metabolism, lactate is now known to form continuously under aerobic conditions. Shuttling between producer and consumer cells fulfills at least three purposes for lactate: (1) a major energy source, (2) the major gluconeogenic precursor, and (3) a signaling molecule. "Lactate shuttle" (LS) concepts describe the roles of lactate in delivery of oxidative and gluconeogenic substrates as well as in cell signaling. In medicine, it has long been recognized that the elevation of blood lactate correlates with illness or injury severity. However, with lactate shuttle theory in mind, some clinicians are now appreciating lactatemia as a "strain" and not a "stress" biomarker. In fact, clinical studies are utilizing lactate to treat pro-inflammatory conditions and to deliver optimal fuel for working muscles in sports medicine. The above, as well as historic and recent studies of lactate metabolism and shuttling, are discussed in the following review.

Hydrogen-rich water for improvements of mood, anxiety, and autonomic nerve function in daily life

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2017

Health and a vibrant life are sought by everyone. To improve quality of life (QOL), maintain a healthy state, and prevent various diseases, evaluations of the effects of potentially QOL-increasing factors are important. Chronic oxidative stress and inflammation cause deteriorations in central nervous system function, leading to low QOL. In healthy individuals, aging, job stress, and cognitive load over several hours also induce increases in oxidative stress, suggesting that preventing the accumulation of oxidative stress caused by daily stress and daily work contributes to maintaining QOL and ameliorating the effects of aging. Hydrogen has anti-oxidant activity and can prevent inflammation, and may thus contribute to improve QOL. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water (HRW) on the QOL of adult volunteers using psychophysiological tests, including questionnaires and tests of autonomic nerve function and cognitive function. In this double-blinded, placebo-controlled study with a two-way crossover design, 26 volunteers (13 females, 13 males; mean age, 34.4 ± 9.9 years) were randomized to either a group administered oral HRW (600 mL/d) or placebo water (PLW, 600 mL/d) for 4 weeks. Change ratios (post-treatment/pre-treatment) for K6 score and sympathetic nerve activity during the resting state were significantly lower after HRW administration than after PLW administration. These results suggest that HRW may reinforce QOL through effects that increase central nervous system functions involving mood, anxiety, and autonomic nerve function.

Molecular hydrogen protects against oxidative stress-induced SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell death through the process of mitohormesis

Article

Full-text available

May 2017
PLOS ONE

Inhalation of molecular hydrogen (H2) gas ameliorates oxidative stress-induced acute injuries in the brain. Consumption of water nearly saturated with H2 also prevents chronic neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease in animal and clinical studies. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the remarkable effect of a small amount of H2 remain unclear. Here, we investigated the effect of H2 on mitochondria in cultured human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. H2 increased the mitochondrial membrane potential and the cellular ATP level, which were accompanied by a decrease in the reduced glutathione level and an increase in the superoxide level. Pretreatment with H2 suppressed H2O2-induced cell death, whereas post-treatment did not. Increases in the expression of anti-oxidative enzymes underlying the Nrf2 pathway in H2-treated cells indicated that mild stress caused by H2 induced increased resistance to exacerbated oxidative stress. We propose that H2 functions both as a radical scavenger and a mitohormetic effector against oxidative stress in cells. © 2017 Murakami et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Effects of hydrogen rich water on prolonged intermittent exercise

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2017
J SPORT MED PHYS FIT

Background: Recent studies showed a positive effect of Hydrogen Rich Water (HRW) intake on acid-basic homeostasis at rest. We investigated 2-weeks of HRW intake on repeated sprint performance and acid-base status during prolonged intermittent cycling exercise. Methods: In a cross over single-blind protocol, eight trained male cyclists (age [mean ± SD] 41±7 years, body mass 72.3±4.4 kg, height 1.77±0.04 m, maximal oxygen uptake [V̇ O2max] 52.6±4.4 ml·kg-1·min-1) were provided daily with 2 liters of placebo normal water (PLA, pH 7.6, oxidation/reduction potential [ORP] +230 mV, free hydrogen content 0 ppb) or HRW (pH 9.8, ORP -180 mV, free Hydrogen 450 ppb). Tests were performed at baseline and after each period of two weeks of treatment. The treatments were counter-balanced and the sequence randomized. The 30-min intermittent cycling trial consisted in ten 3-min blocks, each one composed by 90 sec at 40% V̇ O2max, 60 sec at 60% V̇ O2max, 16 sec all out sprint, and 14 sec active recovery. Oxygen uptake (V̇ O2), heart rate and power output were measured during the whole test, while mean and peak power output (PPO), time to peak power and fatigue index (FI) were determined during all the 16 sec sprints. Lactate, pH and bicarbonate [HCO3-] concentrations were determined at rest and after each sprint on blood obtained by an antecubital vein indwelling catheter. Results: In the PLA group, PPO in absolute values decreased significantly at the 8th and 9th of 10 sprints and in relative values, ΔPPO, decrease significantly at 6th, 8th and 9th of 10 sprints (by mean: -12±5%, p<0.006), while it remained unchanged in HRW group. Mean power, FI, time to peak power and total work showed no differences between groups. In both conditions lactate levels increased while pH and [HCO3-] decreased progressively as a function of the number of sprints. Conclusions: Two weeks of HRW intake may help to maintain PPO in repetitive sprints to exhaustion over 30 minutes.

Clinical Effects of Hydrogen Administration: From Animal and Human Diseases to Exercise Medicine

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2016
IJCM

Here we review the literature on the effects of molecular hydrogen (H2) on normal human subjects and patients with a variety of diagnoses, such as metabolic, rheumatic, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative and other diseases, infections and physical and radiation damage as well as effects on aging and exercise. Although the effects of H2 have been studied in multiple animal models of human disease, such studies will not be reviewed in depth here. H2 can be administered as a gas, in saline implants or infusions, as topical solutions or baths or by drinking H2-enriched water. This latter method is the easiest and least costly method of administration. There are no safety issues with hydrogen; it has been used for years in gas mixtures for deep diving and in numerous clinical trials without adverse events, and there are no warnings in the literature of its toxicity or longterm exposure effects. Molecular hydrogen has proven useful and convenient as a novel antioxidant and modifier of gene expression in many conditions where oxidative stress and changes in gene expression result in cellular damage.

Molecular hydrogen regulates gene expression by modifying the free radical chain reaction-dependent generation of oxidized phospholipid mediators

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2016

We previously showed that H2 acts as a novel antioxidant to protect cells against oxidative stress. Subsequently, numerous studies have indicated the potential applications of H2 in therapeutic and preventive medicine. Moreover, H2 regulates various signal transduction pathways and the expression of many genes. However, the primary targets of H2 in the signal transduction pathways are unknown. Here, we attempted to determine how H2 regulates gene expression. In a pure chemical system, H2 gas (approximately 1%, v/v) suppressed the autoxidation of linoleic acid that proceeds by a free radical chain reaction, and pure 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PAPC), one of the major phospholipids, was autoxidized in the presence or absence of H2. H2 modified the chemical production of the autoxidized phospholipid species in the cell-free system. Exposure of cultured cells to the H2-dependently autoxidized phospholipid species reduced Ca2+ signal transduction and mediated the expression of various genes as revealed by comprehensive microarray analysis. In the cultured cells, H2 suppressed free radical chain reaction-dependent peroxidation and recovered the increased cellular Ca2+, resulting in the regulation of Ca2+-dependent gene expression. Thus, H2 might regulate gene expression via the Ca2+ signal transduction pathway by modifying the free radical-dependent generation of oxidized phospholipid mediators.

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage: Importance in non-SOD1 ALS

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2015

It is well known that mitochondrial damage (MD) is both the major contributor to oxidative stress (OS) (the condition arising from unbalance between production and removal of reactive oxygen species) and one of the major consequences of OS, because of the high dependance of mitochondrial function on redox-sensitive targets such as intact membranes. Conditions in which neuronal cells are not able to cope with MD and OS seem to lead or contribute to several neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), at least in the most studied superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)-linked genetic variant. As summarized in this review, new evidence indicates that MD and OS play a role also in non-SOD1 ALS and thus they may represent a target for therapy despite previous failures in clinical trials.

Molecular hydrogen as a preventive and therapeutic medical gas: Initiation, development and potential of hydrogen medicine

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2014

Shigeo Ohta

Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been accepted to be an inert and nonfunctional molecule in our body. We have turned this concept by demonstrating that H2 reacts with strong oxidants such as hydroxyl radical in cells, and proposed its potential for preventive and therapeutic applications. H2 has a number of advantages exhibiting extensive effects: H2 rapidly diffuses into tissues and cells, and it is mild enough neither to disturb metabolic redox reactions nor to affect signaling reactive oxygen species; therefore, there should be no or little adverse effects of H2. There are several methods to ingest or consume H2; inhaling H2 gas, drinking H2-dissolved water (H2-water), injecting H2-dissolved saline (H2-saline), taking an H2 bath, or dropping H2-saline into the eyes. The numerous publications on its biological and medical benefits revealed that H2 reduces oxidative stress not only by direct reactions with strong oxidants, but also indirectly by regulating various gene expressions. Moreover, by regulating the gene expressions, H2 functions as an anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic, and stimulates energy metabolism. In addition to growing evidence obtained by model animal experiments, extensive clinical examinations were performed or are under investigation. Since most drugs specifically act to their targets, H2 seems to differ from conventional pharmaceutical drugs. Owing to its great efficacy and lack of adverse effects, H2 has promising potential for clinical use against many diseases.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Chronic Disease: Treatment With Natural Supplements

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2014
Alternative Ther Health Med

Garth Nicolson

responsible for cellular energy production, can result in the excess fatigue and other symptoms that are common complaints in almost every chronic disease. At the molecular level, a reduction in mitochondrial function occurs as a result of the following changes: (1) a loss of maintenance of the electrical and chemical transmembrane potential of the inner mitochondrial membrane, (2) alterations in the function of the electron transport chain, or (3) a reduction in the transport of critical metabolites into mitochondria. In turn, these changes result in a reduced efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation and a reduction in production of adenosine-5'-triphosphate (ATP). Several components of this system require routine replacement, and this need can be facilitated with natural supplements. Clinical trials have shown the utility of using oral replacement supplements, such as L-carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid (α-lipoic acid [1,2-dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid]), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10 [ubiquinone]), reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), membrane phospholipids, and other supplements. Combinations of these supplements can reduce significantly the fatigue and other symptoms associated with chronic disease and can naturally restore mitochondrial function, even in long-term patients with intractable fatigue.

The evolution of molecular hydrogen: A noteworthy potential therapy with clinical significance

Article

Full-text available

May 2013

Studies on molecular hydrogen have evolved tremendously from its humble beginnings and have continued to change throughout the years. Hydrogen is extremely unique since it has the capability to act at the cellular level. Hydrogen is qualified to cross the blood brain barrier, to enter the mitochondria, and even has the ability to translocate to the nucleus under certain conditions. Once in these ideal locations of the cell, previous studies have shown that hydrogen exerts antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties that are beneficial to the cell. Hydrogen is most commonly applied as a gas, water, saline, and can be applied in a variety of other mediums. There are also few side effects involving hydrogen, thus making hydrogen a near perfect as a medical gas candidate for the convention of novel therapeutic strategies against cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, cancer, metabolic, and respiratory diseases and disorders. Although hydrogen appears to be faultless at times, there still are several deficiencies or snares that need to be investigated by future studies. This review article seeks to delve and comprehensively analyze the research and experiments that alludes to molecular hydrogen being a novel therapeutic treatment that medicine desperately needs.

H2 Gas Improves Functional Outcome After Cardiac Arrest to an Extent Comparable to Therapeutic Hypothermia in a Rat Model

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2012

All clinical and biological manifestations related to postcardiac arrest (CA) syndrome are attributed to ischemia-reperfusion injury in various organs including brain and heart. Molecular hydrogen (H(2)) has potential as a novel antioxidant. This study tested the hypothesis that inhalation of H(2) gas starting at the beginning of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) could improve the outcome of CA. Ventricular fibrillation was induced by transcutaneous electrical epicardial stimulation in rats. After 5 minutes of the subsequent CA, rats were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 experimental groups at the beginning of CPR: mechanical ventilation (MV) with 2% N(2) and 98% O(2) under normothermia (37°C), the control group; MV with 2% H(2) and 98% O(2) under normothermia; MV with 2% N(2) and 98% O(2) under therapeutic hypothermia (TH), 33°C; and MV with 2% H(2) and 98% O(2) under TH. Mixed gas inhalation and TH continued until 2 hours after the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). H(2) gas inhalation yielded better improvement in survival and neurological deficit score (NDS) after ROSC to an extent comparable to TH. H(2) gas inhalation, but not TH, prevented a rise in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and increase in serum IL-6 level after ROSC. The salutary impact of H(2) gas was at least partially attributed to the radical-scavenging effects of H(2) gas, because both 8-OHdG- and 4-HNE-positive cardiomyocytes were markedly suppressed by H(2) gas inhalation after ROSC. Inhalation of H(2) gas is a favorable strategy to mitigate mortality and functional outcome of post-CA syndrome in a rat model, either alone or in combination with TH.

DRINKS WITH ALKALINE NEGATIVE OXIDATIVE REDUCTION POTENTIAL IMPROVE EXERCISE PERFORMANCE IN PHYSICALLY ACTIVE MEN AND WOMEN: DOUBLE-BLIND, RANDOMIZED,PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, CROSS-OVER TRIAL OF EFFICACY AND SAFETY

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2011

In the current study we tested the hypothesis that an acute (7 days) intake of an alkaline negative oxidative reduction potential formulation (NORP) drink would reduce the rate of blood lactate accumulation during and after exercise, increase time to exhaustion, increase serum buffering capacity and not increase prevalence of adverse effects as compared to the control drink. Eleven participants (9 men and 2 women) met the criteria to take part in the study. Participants were randomized in a double-blind, cross-over design to receive the control and the NORP drinks within two single-week periods to study the efficacy of the NORP drink (at a dose of 1 L per day by oral administration). The NORP drink was supplied in bottles containing 2 g NORP, 6 g sucrose, 1-2 mg sodium per dose. The control drink was identically supplied and formulated except that it contained no NORP. Exercise testing was performed using a treadmill based ramp protocol. Blood glucose or total antioxidant capacity were not affected by supplementation (p > 0.05) while serum bicarbonates were significantly higher after the NORP trial (p < 0.05). Critical HR at the velocity of 8.1 mph during the test was significantly lower in NORP as compared to the control drink trial (p < 0.05). Blood lactate sampled at velocity 8.1 mph during the test was significantly lower in the NORP group (p < 0.05). No athletes reported any vexatious side effects of supplementation. It seems that NORP supplementation could have a beneficial effect on human performance during maximal exercise.

Pilot study: Effects of drinking hydrogen-rich water on muscle fatigue caused by acute exercise in elite athletes

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2012

Background Muscle contraction during short intervals of intense exercise causes oxidative stress, which can play a role in the development of overtraining symptoms, including increased fatigue, resulting in muscle microinjury or inflammation. Recently it has been said that hydrogen can function as antioxidant, so we investigated the effect of hydrogen-rich water (HW) on oxidative stress and muscle fatigue in response to acute exercise. Methods Ten male soccer players aged 20.9 ± 1.3 years old were subjected to exercise tests and blood sampling. Each subject was examined twice in a crossover double-blind manner; they were given either HW or placebo water (PW) for one week intervals. Subjects were requested to use a cycle ergometer at a 75 % maximal oxygen uptake (VO2) for 30 min, followed by measurement of peak torque and muscle activity throughout 100 repetitions of maximal isokinetic knee extension. Oxidative stress markers and creatine kinase in the peripheral blood were sequentially measured. Results Although acute exercise resulted in an increase in blood lactate levels in the subjects given PW, oral intake of HW prevented an elevation of blood lactate during heavy exercise. Peak torque of PW significantly decreased during maximal isokinetic knee extension, suggesting muscle fatigue, but peak torque of HW didn’t decrease at early phase. There was no significant change in blood oxidative injury markers (d-ROMs and BAP) or creatine kinease after exercise. Conclusion Adequate hydration with hydrogen-rich water pre-exercise reduced blood lactate levels and improved exercise-induced decline of muscle function. Although further studies to elucidate the exact mechanisms and the benefits are needed to be confirmed in larger series of studies, these preliminary results may suggest that HW may be suitable hydration for athletes.

Molecular hydrogen alleviates nephrotoxicity induced by anti-cancer drug cisplatin without compromising anti-tumor activity in mice

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2009
CANCER CHEMOTH PHARM

Cisplatin is a widely used anti-cancer drug in the treatment of a wide range of tumors; however, its application is limited by nephrotoxicity, which is affected by oxidative stress. We have reported that molecular hydrogen (H(2)) acts as an efficient antioxidant (Ohsawa et al. in Nat Med 13:688-694, 2007). Here we show that hydrogen efficiently mitigates the side effects of cisplatin by reducing oxidative stress. Mice were administered cisplatin followed by inhaling hydrogen gas (1% H(2) in air). Furthermore, instead of inhaling hydrogen gas, we examined whether drinking water containing hydrogen (hydrogen water; 0.8 mM H(2) in water) is applicable by examining oxidative stress, mortality, and body-weight loss. Nephrotoxicity was assessed by morphological changes, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Inhalation of hydrogen gas improved mortality and body-weight loss caused by cisplatin, and alleviated nephrotoxicity. Hydrogen was detected in blood when hydrogen water was placed in the stomach of a rat. Consuming hydrogen water ad libitum also reduced oxidative stress, mortality, and body-weight loss induced by cisplatin in mice. Hydrogen water improved metamorphosis accompanying decreased apoptosis in the kidney, and nephrotoxicity as assessed by serum creatinine and BUN levels. Despite its protective effects against cisplatin-induced toxicity, hydrogen did not impair anti-tumor activity of cisplatin against cancer cell lines in vitro and tumor-bearing mice in vivo. Hydrogen has potential for improving the quality of life of patients during chemotherapy by efficiently mitigating the side effects of cisplatin.

Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress: Cellular Mechanisms and Impact on Muscle Force Production

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2008

The first suggestion that physical exercise results in free radical-mediated damage to tissues appeared in 1978, and the past three decades have resulted in a large growth of knowledge regarding exercise and oxidative stress. Although the sources of oxidant production during exercise continue to be debated, it is now well established that both resting and contracting skeletal muscles produce reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. Importantly, intense and prolonged exercise can result in oxidative damage to both proteins and lipids in the contracting myocytes. Furthermore, oxidants can modulate a number of cell signaling pathways and regulate the expression of multiple genes in eukaryotic cells. This oxidant-mediated change in gene expression involves changes at transcriptional, mRNA stability, and signal transduction levels. Furthermore, numerous products associated with oxidant-modulated genes have been identified and include antioxidant enzymes, stress proteins, DNA repair proteins, and mitochondrial electron transport proteins. Interestingly, low and physiological levels of reactive oxygen species are required for normal force production in skeletal muscle, but high levels of reactive oxygen species promote contractile dysfunction resulting in muscle weakness and fatigue. Ongoing research continues to probe the mechanisms by which oxidants influence skeletal muscle contractile properties and to explore interventions capable of protecting muscle from oxidant-mediated dysfunction.

Responses to Different Intermittent Runs at Velocity Associated With

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2003
Can J Appl Physiol

The purposes of this study were (1) to determine the time sustained above 90% of VO2max in different intermittent running sessions having the same overall time run at the velocity (vVO2max) associated with VO2max, and (2) to test whether the use of a fixed-fraction (50%) of the time to exhaustion at vVO2max (Tlim) leads to longer time spent at a high percentage of VO2max. Subjects were 8 triathletes who, after determination of their track vVO2max and Tlim, performed three intermittent running sessions alternating the velocity between 100% and 50% of vVO2max, termed 30 s-30 s, 60 s-30 s, and 1/2 Tlim, where the overall time at vVO2max was similar (= 3 x Tlim). VO2max achieved in the incremental test was 71.1 +/- 3.9 ml.min-1.kg-1 and Tlim was 236 +/- 49 s. VO2peak and peak heart rate were lower in 30 s-30 s than in the other intermittent runs. The time spent above 90% of VO2max was significantly (p < 0.001) longer either in 60 s-30 s (531 +/- 187 s) or in 1/2 Tlim-1/2 Tlim (487 +/- 176 s) than in 30 s-30 s (149 +/- 33 s). Tlim was negatively correlated with the time (in % of Tlim) spent above 90% of VO2max in 30 s-30 s (r = -0.75, p < 0.05). Tlim was also correlated with the difference of time spent over 90% of VO2max between 60 s-30 s and 30 s-30 s (r = 0.77, p < 0.05), or between 1/2 Tlim-1/2 Tlim and 30 s-30 s (r = 0.97, p < 0.001). The results confirm that vVO2max and Tlim are useful for setting interval-training sessions. However, the use of an individualized fixed-fraction of Tlim did not lead to longer time spent at a high percentage of VO2max compared to when using a fixed work-interval duration.

Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2007

Acute oxidative stress induced by ischemia-reperfusion or inflammation causes serious damage to tissues, and persistent oxidative stress is accepted as one of the causes of many common diseases including cancer. We show here that hydrogen (H(2)) has potential as an antioxidant in preventive and therapeutic applications. We induced acute oxidative stress in cultured cells by three independent methods. H(2) selectively reduced the hydroxyl radical, the most cytotoxic of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and effectively protected cells; however, H(2) did not react with other ROS, which possess physiological roles. We used an acute rat model in which oxidative stress damage was induced in the brain by focal ischemia and reperfusion. The inhalation of H(2) gas markedly suppressed brain injury by buffering the effects of oxidative stress. Thus H(2) can be used as an effective antioxidant therapy; owing to its ability to rapidly diffuse across membranes, it can reach and react with cytotoxic ROS and thus protect against oxidative damage.

Criteria for determination of maximal oxygen uptake: a brief critique and recommendations for future research

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2007

Although the concept of maximal oxygen uptake (V-dotO(2max)) was conceived as early as 1923, the criteria used to establish whether a true V-dotO(2max) has been attained have been heavily criticised. Consequently, an improvement in the methodology of the existing criteria, or development of new criteria, is required. In order to be valid across experimental studies, new or improved criteria need to be independent of exercise modality, test protocol and subject characteristics. One procedure that has shown potential for yielding valid V-dotO(2max) criteria is the verification phase, which consists of a supramaximal constant speed run to exhaustion performed after the incremental phase of a V-dotO(2max) test. A peak oxygen uptake (V-dotO(2peak)) in the verification phase that is similar (within the tolerance of measurement error, e.g. within 2%) to the V-dotO(2max) value attained in the incremental phase would indicate that a true V-dotO(2max) has been elicited. Verification of the maximal heart rate would also indicate that a subject has given a maximum effort. Although the validity of the present methodology for identifying an oxygen uptake (V-dotO(2)) plateau is questionable, a V-dotO(2) plateau criterion based on the individual slope of the V-dotO(2)-work-rate relationship should improve its validity. This approach also allows determination of the 'total V-dotO(2) plateau', which is in contrast to currently used V-dotO(2) plateau criteria that are based on the difference in V-dotO(2) between only two test stages or V-dotO(2) data points. The ratings of perceived exertion scale has been criticised for being a one-dimensional measure of physical effort and V-dotO(2max) criteria based on a multidimensional psychophysiological approach should increase validity. Visual analogue scales can be used to assess aspects such as muscular pain, determination and overall perceived effort. Furthermore, they are easy to complete and have demonstrated good reliability and validity in clinical and health settings. Future research should explore these and other potential approaches to developing new or improved V-dotO(2max) criteria, so that, ultimately, a standardised set of V-dotO(2max) criteria can be established. At present, however, the greatest challenge is identifying V-dotO(2max) criteria that remain valid across studies.

Reliability of methods to measure energy expenditure during and after resistance exercise

Article

Apr 2019

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of 3 methods estimating energy expenditure (EE) during and in response to resistance exercise. Ten males (aged 29.4 ± 10.2 years) with ≥2 months resistance training (RT) experience performed 3 training sessions incorporating the bench press and back-squat; sessions were separated by 48 to 72 h. Total energy expenditure (TEE) was estimated using a Suunto T6D Heart Rate Monitor and 2 methods (named "Scott" and "Magosso") that used oxygen uptake and blood lactate measurements to determine aerobic and anaerobic energy expenditure (AnEE). For TEE, relative reliability for both the Scott and Magosso methods remained "nearly perfect" across all testing days for the bench press and back-squat; with interclass correlations (ICC) > 0.93 and percentage of the typical error measurement (TEM%) below 5.8%. The heart rate method showed moderate variability between testing days for both exercises; ICCs ranged between 0.66-0.92 with TEM% between 18%-37% during the bench press and 11%-17% during the back-squat. The estimation of AnEE showed that the Scott and Magosso methods had "strong" to "very strong" relative reliability for both exercises; however, a low absolute reliability was observed. Mean EE was significantly higher in the Scott and Magosso methods during the bench press >912 kJ and back-squat >1170 kJ, with the heart rate method estimating 358 kJ and 416 kJ. The Scott and Magosso methods showed a high degree of reliability between testing days when measuring EE. Heart rate methods may significantly underestimate EE during and in response to RT.

Potential Therapeutic and Preventive Effect of Drinking Hydrogen-rich Water on Acute Fatigue

Article

Jan 2017

Acute fatigue is a condition defined as a sudden onset of physical and mental exhaustion particularly after a short but strenuous period of physical exercise due to effect of waste product of muscle contraction within muscle fiber and accumulation of metabolites within the muscle fiber. Until recently, it's believed that lactic acid build-up and reactive oxygen species (ROS) resulting oxidative stress are the most common causes of muscle fatigue. With prevalence of this condition and due to the lack of effective therapeutics, fatigue-related disorders turn to alternative medicine and other non-traditional practices. Previous studies on molecular hydrogen have reported that hydrogen exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and metabolic modulation properties that are beneficial to the cell. Herein we hypothesized that hydrogen-rich water (HW) might ameliorate various impairment of acute fatigue through ROS scavenging activity and elevation of metabolic profile which were related to fatigue such as blood lactate and increasing storage of muscle glycogen, thereby improving physical endurance.

Standards for Ethics in Sport and Exercise Science Research: 2018 Update

Article

Dec 2017

Drinking hydrogen-rich water for 4 weeks positively affects serum antioxidant enzymes in healthy men: a pilot study

Article

Jan 2017
CURR TOP NUTRACEUT R

Molecular hydrogen is an experimental therapeutic agent in biomedicine, however its effects on serum antioxidant markers are poorly described so far. Sixteen healthy men (age 24.6 ± 3.6 years, height 183.3 ± 4.4 cm; weight 83.5 ± 12. 5 kg) participated in this randomized, double blind, placebo-control pilot study. The participants were assigned to receive either 300 mL per day of oral hydrogen-rich water or placebo (tap water) for 4 weeks, and were evaluated at baseline, and following 4-weeks of intervention. Hydrogen-rich water intervention significantly improved serum activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione as compared to the placebo (P < 0.05), while no differences were observed between groups for changes in catalase and glutathione peroxidase at 4-week follow-up. In addition, hydrogen-rich water notably reduced serum malondialdehyde levels at post-administration, with change being significantly different comparing to placebo (- 25.8% vs. 11.7%; P < 0.001). In conclusion, hydrogen-rich water might be recognized as a novel agent to prevent oxidative stress or minimize its damaging effects by enhancing antioxidant enzymes capacity in healthy men. However, a mechanism of its antioxidant action remains unknown.

Textbook of work physiology. Physiological basis of exercise

Article

Jan 1977

Is molecular hydrogen beneficial to enhance post-exercise recovery in female athletes?

Article

Aug 2016
SCI SPORT

Summary Objectives The purpose of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover study was to determine the effects of pre-exercise hydrogen-rich water intake on biomarkers of acid-base homeostasis and post-exercise recovery in female athletes. Methods Eight young female judo athletes (21.4 ± 2.2 years) were randomly assigned to receive either hydrogen-rich water or placebo water ∼ 30 minutes before exercise. The same procedures were repeated 4 days after the first assessment in a crossover design. The exercise protocol consisted of high-intensity inttermitent exercise by means of a judo-specific test. Heart rate was recorded at baseline and post-exercise. Participants’ blood was sampled in order to determine the arterial blood pH, bicarbonates and lactates at rest (prior to the intervention), 3 minutes and 5 minutes post-exercise. Results Hydrogen-rich water significantly affected post-exercise blood pH and lactates as compared to the placebo (P < 0.05), while serum bicarbonate responses did not differ between interventions. No differences were found between hydrogen-rich water and placebo in heart rate responses to exercise. No side effects of either intervention were noted. Conclusion Hydrogen-rich water might be an appropriate and safe hydration strategy that helps athletes to become less susceptible to exercise-induced acidosis.

Molecular Hydrogen in Sports Medicine: New Therapeutic Perspectives

Article

Dec 2014

Sergej Ostojic

In the past 2 decades, molecular hydrogen emerged as a novel therapeutic agent, with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects demonstrated in plethora of animal disease models and human studies. Beneficial effects of molecular hydrogen in clinical environment are observed especially in oxidative stress-mediated diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, brain stem infarction, rheumatoid arthritis, or neurodegenerative diseases. A number of more recent studies have reported that molecular hydrogen affects cell signal transduction and acts as an alkalizing agent, with these newly identified mechanisms of action having the potential to widen its application in clinical medicine even further. In particular, hydrogen therapy may be an effective and specific innovative treatment for exercise-induced oxidative stress and sports injury, with potential for the improvement of exercise performance. This review will summarize recent research findings regarding the clinical aspects of molecular hydrogen use, emphasizing its application in the field of sports medicine. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Hydrogen-Rich Water Affected Blood Alkalinity in Physically Active Men

Article

Jan 2014
Res Sports Med

Possible appliance of effective and safe alkalizing agent in the treatment of metabolic acidosis could be of particular interest to humans experiencing an increase in plasma acidity, such as exercise-induced acidosis. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that the daily oral intake of 2L of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) for 14 days would increase arterial blood alkalinity at baseline and post-exercise as compared with the placebo. This study was a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 52 presumably healthy physically active male volunteers. Twenty-six participants received HRW and 26 a placebo (tap water) for 14 days. Arterial blood pH, partial pressure for carbon dioxide (pCO2), and bicarbonates were measured at baseline and postexercise at the start (day 0) and at the end of the intervention period (day 14). Intake of HRW significantly increased fasting arterial blood pH by 0.04 (95% confidence interval; 0.01 - 0.08; p < 0.001), and postexercise pH by 0.07 (95% confidence interval; 0.01 - 0.10; p = 0.03) after 14 days of intervention. Fasting bicarbonates were significantly higher in the HRW trial after the administration regimen as compared with the preadministration (30.5 ± 1.9 mEq/L vs. 28.3 ± 2.3 mEq/L; p < 0.0001). No volunteers withdrew before the end of the study, and no participant reported any vexatious side effects of supplementation. These results support the hypothesis that HRW administration is safe and may have an alkalizing effect in young physically active men.

Lactate oxidation in human skeletal muscle mitochondria

Article

Feb 2013
AM J PHYSIOL-ENDOC M

Lactate is an important intermediate metabolite in human bioenergetics and is oxidized in many different tissues including the heart, brain, kidney, adipose tissue, liver and skeletal muscle. The mechanism(s) explaining the metabolism of lactate in these tissues, however, remains unclear. Here, we analyze the ability of skeletal muscle to respire lactate using an in situ mitochondrial preparation that leaves the native tubular reticulum and subcellular interactions of the organelle unaltered. Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from the m. vastus lateralis in 16 human subjects. Samples were chemically permeabilized with saponin, which selectively perforates the sarcolemma and facilitates the loss of cytosolic content without altering mitochondrial membranes, structure, and subcellular interactions. High-resolution respirometry was performed on permeabilized muscle biopsy preparations. Using four separate and specific substrate titration protocols the respirometric analysis revealed that mitochondria were capable of oxidizing lactate in the absence of exogenous LDH. The titration of lactate and NAD(+) into the respiration medium stimulated respiration (p ≤ 0.003). The addition of exogenous LDH failed to increase lactate-stimulated respiration (p = 1.0). The results further demonstrate that human skeletal muscle mitochondria cannot directly oxidize lactate within the mitochondrial matrix. Alternately, these data support previous claims that lactate is converted to pyruvate within the mitochondrial intermembrane space with the pyruvate subsequently taken into the mitochondrial matrix where it enters the TCA cycle and is ultimately oxidized.

Serum Alkalinization and Hydrogen-Rich Water in Healthy Men

Article

May 2012
MAYO CLIN PROC

Sergej Ostojic

Estimation of Molecular Hydrogen Consumption in the Human Whole Body After the Ingestion of Hydrogen-Rich Water

Article

Jan 2012
ADV EXP MED BIOL

Recent studies have revealed that inhaled or ingested hydrogen gas (H 2) inactivates reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals in various kinds of diseases and disorders in animal models and that H2 reduces oxidative stress-induced damage in brain, heart, and other peripheral tissues. These reports suggested that exogenous H2 is partially trapped by oxygen radicals. This study was conducted to evaluate H2 consumption after the ingestion of H2-rich water. Seven adult subjects ingested H2-rich water. The H2 content of their expired breath was measured by gas chromatography with a semiconductor. The ingestion of H2-rich water rapidly increased breath H2 content to its maximal level of approximately 36 ppm at 10 min after ingestion and thereafter decreased it to the baseline level within 60 min. Taken together with simultaneous measurements of expiratory minute volume, 59% of the ingested H2 was exhaled. The loss of H2 from the water during the experimental procedures accounted for 3% or less of the H2. H 2 release from the skin surface was estimated as approximately 0.1%. Based on the remaining H2 mass balance, approximately 40% of the ingested H2 was consumed in the body. As the H2 molecule is reported to be a weak scavenger of hydroxyl radicals and is not effective against superoxide or hydrogen peroxide, the rate of hydroxyl radical production was estimated to be at least 1.0 μmol/min/m2 (equivalent to 29 nmol/min/kg), assuming that the H2 molecules were all used to scavenge hydroxyl radicals and that bacterial consumption in the alimentary tract and on the skin surface could be excluded. In summary, 59% of ingested H2 was exhaled, and most of the remainder was consumed in the body.

Progressive Statistics for Studies in Sports Medicine and Exercise Science

Article

Jan 2009

Statistical guidelines and expert statements are now available to assist in the analysis and reporting of studies in some biomedical disciplines. We present here a more progressive resource for sample-based studies, meta-analyses, and case studies in sports medicine and exercise science. We offer forthright advice on the following controversial or novel issues: using precision of estimation for inferences about population effects in preference to null-hypothesis testing, which is inadequate for assessing clinical or practical importance; justifying sample size via acceptable precision or confidence for clinical decisions rather than via adequate power for statistical significance; showing SD rather than SEM, to better communicate the magnitude of differences in means and nonuniformity of error; avoiding purely nonparametric analyses, which cannot provide inferences about magnitude and are unnecessary; using regression statistics in validity studies, in preference to the impractical and biased limits of agreement; making greater use of qualitative methods to enrich sample-based quantitative projects; and seeking ethics approval for public access to the depersonalized raw data of a study, to address the need for more scrutiny of research and better meta-analyses. Advice on less contentious issues includes the following: using covariates in linear models to adjust for confounders, to account for individual differences, and to identify potential mechanisms of an effect; using log transformation to deal with nonuniformity of effects and error; identifying and deleting outliers; presenting descriptive, effect, and inferential statistics in appropriate formats; and contending with bias arising from problems with sampling, assignment, blinding, measurement error, and researchers' prejudices. This article should advance the field by stimulating debate, promoting innovative approaches, and serving as a useful checklist for authors, reviewers, and editors.

Supplementation of hydrogen-rich water improves lipid and glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance

Article

Mar 2008

Oxidative stress is recognized widely as being associated with various disorders including diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. It is well established that hydrogen has a reducing action. We therefore investigated the effects of hydrogen-rich water intake on lipid and glucose metabolism in patients with either type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study in 30 patients with T2DM controlled by diet and exercise therapy and 6 patients with IGT. The patients consumed either 900 mL/d of hydrogen-rich pure water or 900 mL of placebo pure water for 8 weeks, with a 12-week washout period. Several biomarkers of oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism, assessed by an oral glucose tolerance test, were evaluated at baseline and at 8 weeks. Intake of hydrogen-rich water was associated with significant decreases in the levels of modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (ie, modifications that increase the net negative charge of LDL), small dense LDL, and urinary 8-isoprostanes by 15.5% (P < .01), 5.7% (P < .05), and 6.6% (P < .05), respectively. Hydrogen-rich water intake was also associated with a trend of decreased serum concentrations of oxidized LDL and free fatty acids, and increased plasma levels of adiponectin and extracellular-superoxide dismutase. In 4 of 6 patients with IGT, intake of hydrogen-rich water normalized the oral glucose tolerance test. In conclusion, these results suggest that supplementation with hydrogen-rich water may have a beneficial role in prevention of T2DM and insulin resistance.

Psychophysical Bases of Perceived Exertion

Article

Feb 1982
MED SCI SPORT EXER

Gunnar Borg

There is a great demand for perceptual effort ratings in order to better understand man at work. Such ratings are important complements to behavioral and physiological measurements of physical performance and work capacity. This is true for both theoretical analysis and application in medicine, human factors, and sports. Perceptual estimates, obtained by psychophysical ratio-scaling methods, are valid when describing general perceptual variation, but category methods are more useful in several applied situations when differences between individuals are described. A presentation is made of ratio-scaling methods, category methods, especially the Borg Scale for ratings of perceived exertion, and a new method that combines the category method with ratio properties. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods are discussed in both theoretical-psychophysical and psychophysiological frames of reference.

Criteria for maximal oxygen uptake: Review and commentary

Article

Oct 1995
MED SCI SPORT EXER

Historically, the achievement of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) has been based on objective criteria such as a leveling off of oxygen uptake with an increase in work rate, high levels of lactic acid in the blood in the minutes following the exercise test, elevated respiratory exchange ratio, and achievement of some percentage of an age-adjusted estimate of maximal heart rate. These criteria are reviewed relative to their history, the degree to which they have been achieved in published research, and how investigators and reviewers follow them in current practice. The majority of the criteria were based on discontinuous protocols, often carried out over several days. Questions are raised about the applicability of these criteria to modern continuous graded exercise test protocols, and our lack of consistency in the terminology we use relative to the measurement of maximal oxygen uptake.

Lactate doesn't necessarily cause fatigue: Why are we surprised?

Article

Nov 2001

George A Brooks

Biochemistry of exercise-induced metabolic acidosis

Article

Oct 2004

The development of acidosis during intense exercise has traditionally been explained by the increased production of lactic acid, causing the release of a proton and the formation of the acid salt sodium lactate. On the basis of this explanation, if the rate of lactate production is high enough, the cellular proton buffering capacity can be exceeded, resulting in a decrease in cellular pH. These biochemical events have been termed lactic acidosis. The lactic acidosis of exercise has been a classic explanation of the biochemistry of acidosis for more than 80 years. This belief has led to the interpretation that lactate production causes acidosis and, in turn, that increased lactate production is one of the several causes of muscle fatigue during intense exercise. This review presents clear evidence that there is no biochemical support for lactate production causing acidosis. Lactate production retards, not causes, acidosis. Similarly, there is a wealth of research evidence to show that acidosis is caused by reactions other than lactate production. Every time ATP is broken down to ADP and P(i), a proton is released. When the ATP demand of muscle contraction is met by mitochondrial respiration, there is no proton accumulation in the cell, as protons are used by the mitochondria for oxidative phosphorylation and to maintain the proton gradient in the intermembranous space. It is only when the exercise intensity increases beyond steady state that there is a need for greater reliance on ATP regeneration from glycolysis and the phosphagen system. The ATP that is supplied from these nonmitochondrial sources and is eventually used to fuel muscle contraction increases proton release and causes the acidosis of intense exercise. Lactate production increases under these cellular conditions to prevent pyruvate accumulation and supply the NAD(+) needed for phase 2 of glycolysis. Thus increased lactate production coincides with cellular acidosis and remains a good indirect marker for cell metabolic conditions that induce metabolic acidosis. If muscle did not produce lactate, acidosis and muscle fatigue would occur more quickly and exercise performance would be severely impaired.

Concentration of hydrogen nanobubbles in electrolyzed water

Article

Jun 2006

The hydrogen concentration of solutions supersaturated with hydrogen comprising dissolved hydrogen and hydrogen bubbles obtained through water electrolysis was studied. The rate of decrease in concentration of hydrogen nanobubble diameter below 600 nm and dissolved hydrogen with elapsed time after electrolysis was seemed to be independent of ionic strength and ion type and storage temperature. The concentration of hydrogen nanobubbles (mol dm(-3)) in electrolyzed water decreases with ionic strength, while the total hydrogen concentration remains roughly constant. The hydrogen nanobubble concentration increases in accordance with the nature of ions existing in solution in the following order I- < Br- < Cl- and K+ < Li+ < Na+. It is shown that the ratio of hydrogen nanobubble concentration to total hydrogen concentration of hydrogen in a catholyte strongly depends on the ratio in the supersaturated hydrogen solution near the electrode surface.

Molecular hydrogen as a novel antioxidant: Overview of the advantages of hydrogen for medical applications

Jan 2015
289-317

S Ohta

Ohta S. Molecular hydrogen as a novel antioxidant: Overview of the advantages of hydrogen for medical applications. Methods Enzymol 2015; 555: 289-317. doi:10.1038/srep18971

Hydrogen Rich Water Improved Ventilatory, Perceptual and Lactate Responses to Exercise

Abstract

No full-text available

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