Administration of hydrogen-rich water prevents vascular aging of the aorta in LDL receptor-deficient mice

Sci Rep. 2018 Nov 14;8(1):16822. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-35239-0.

Abstract

The main cause of arteriosclerosis is atherosclerosis in the aorta. Atherosclerosis is recognized as a chronic inflammatory condition that begins with the dysfunction or activation of arterial endothelium. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and especially its oxidized form play a key role in endothelial dysfunction and atherogenesis. Recent studies showed that senescent cells are involved in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, and eliminating senescent cells suppresses the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. We previously reported that molecular hydrogen-rich water (HW) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in numerous diseases. Here, we used LDL receptor-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 13 weeks as a model for atherosclerosis and evaluated the effects of continuous administration of HW. The numbers of endothelial cells in the atheroma expressing the senescence factors p16INK4a and p21 decreased in HFD-fed mice given HW compared with HFD-fed mice given control water. Furthermore, macrophage infiltration and Tnfα expression in the atheroma were also suppressed. These results suggest that vascular aging can be suppressed by HW.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta / drug effects
  • Aorta / pathology*
  • Atherosclerosis / prevention & control*
  • Cellular Senescence
  • Diet, High-Fat
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Vascular / pathology
  • Hydrogen / administration & dosage*
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Receptors, LDL / deficiency
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / metabolism
  • Water / administration & dosage
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Receptors, LDL
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Water
  • Hydrogen