Effect of Orally Ingested Water Containing H2-Filled Ultrafine Bubbles (UFBs) on Ethanol-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

Abstract

Ultrafine bubbles (UFBs), which are bubbles with diameters of less than 1 µm, are widely recognized for their ability to exist stably in liquid as a result of the effects of Brownian motion. In this study, we focused on hydrogen, known for its antioxidant potential, and explored the function of H2-filled UFBs, which encapsulate hydrogen, to determine their potential use as oral carriers for the delivery bioactive gases to living organisms. To this end, rats were orally administered ethanol to induce hepatic oxidative stress, and the effects of drinking H2-filled UFBs (H2 NanoGAS®) water for two weeks were evaluated to assess the reduction of oxidative stress. Continuous alcohol consumption was found to significantly increase the blood lipid peroxidation levels in the control group, confirming the induction of oxidative stress. An increase in blood lipid peroxidation was significantly inhibited by the consumption of concentrated H2 NanoGAS® (C-HN) water. Furthermore, the measurement of mitochondrial activity in the liver revealed that drinking H2 NanoGAS® water helped to maintain at a normal level and/or boosted the functional activity of the electron transport system in mitochondria affected by ethanol intake. To our knowledge, this study is the first to provide evidence for the use of orally ingested UFBs as carriers for the delivery gases to tissues, thereby exerting their physiological activity in the body. Our findings highlight the potential for the application of UFBs to various physiologically active gases and their utilization in the medical field in the future.

Study details

Article type

Original Research

Disease / injury model

Ethanol-induced hepatic oxidative stress (alcohol-induced liver injury)

Duration

2 weeks

Dose comparison

The study compared two concentrations of hydrogen-filled UFB water (regular and 10-fold concentrated) and found a concentration-dependent effect on oxidative stress markers.

Dose-dependent effect

Yes

Outcome

Positive

Findings

Oral ingestion of hydrogen-filled ultrafine bubble (UFB) water significantly inhibited ethanol-induced increases in blood lipid peroxidation and helped maintain or boost mitochondrial electron transport activity in the liver, indicating reduced oxidative stress and preserved mitochondrial function in rats.