Hydrogen Activates ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1-Dependent Efflux Ex Vivo and Improves High-Density Lipoprotein Function in Patients With Hypercholesterolemia: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Trial

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Jul;100(7):2724-33. doi: 10.1210/jc.2015-1321. Epub 2015 May 15.

Abstract

Context: We have found that hydrogen (dihydrogen [H2]) decreases plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and improves high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function in patients with potential metabolic syndrome in a before-after self-controlled study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to further characterize the effects of H2-rich water (0.9 L/day) on the content, composition, and biological activities of plasma lipoproteins on patients with hypercholesterolemia and their underlying mechanisms in a double-blinded, randomized, and placebo-controlled trial.

Design: This was a case-control study.

Setting: The setting was the Zhoudian community, Tai'an, China.

Patients: A total of 68 patients with untreated isolated hypercholesterolemia were randomly allocated to either drinking H2-rich water (n = 34) or placebo water (n = 34) for 10 weeks.

Results: HDL isolated from the H2 group showed an increased ability to promote the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1-mediated cholesterol efflux ex vivo. Plasma pre-β-HDL levels were up-regulated although there were no changes in plasma HDL-cholesterol levels. Moreover, other HDL functions, assessed in protection against LDL oxidation, inhibition of oxidized-LDL-induced inflammation, and protection of endothelial cells from oxidized-LDL-induced apoptosis, were all significantly improved by H2 treatment. In addition, H2 treatment increased the effective rate in down-regulating plasma levels of total cholesterol (47.06% vs 17.65%) and LDL cholesterol (47.06% vs 23.53%). Western blot analysis revealed a marked decrease in apolipoprotein B100 and an increase in apolipoprotein M in plasma of the H2 group. Finally H2 treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of several inflammatory and oxidative stress indicators in whole plasma and HDL particles.

Conclusions: H2 activates ATP-binding cassette transporter A1-dependent efflux, enhances HDL antiatherosclerotic functions, and has beneficial lipid-lowering effects. The present findings highlight the potential role of H2 in the regression of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1 / metabolism*
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Biological Transport / drug effects
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cells, Cultured
  • China
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen / pharmacology*
  • Hypercholesterolemia / blood
  • Hypercholesterolemia / metabolism*
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / metabolism*
  • Lipoproteins, HDL / physiology
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Placebos

Substances

  • ABCA1 protein, human
  • ATP Binding Cassette Transporter 1
  • Lipoproteins, HDL
  • Placebos
  • Hydrogen

Associated data

  • ChiCTR/CHICTR-IPR-14005548