Hydrogen in drinking water reduces dopaminergic neuronal loss in the MPTP mouse model of Parkinson's disease
Fujita K et al. · PLoS One. 2009;4(9):e7247.
Study at a glance
Preclinical
Mice exposed to acute injections or chronic infusion of MPTP
Ad libitum H₂-containing drinking water prepared by H₂ bubbling or magnesium reaction · 0.04, 0.08, 0.5 and 1.5 ppm were studied; 0.08 ppm was reported to produce an effect similar to 1.5 ppm in the concentration experiment.
Water began before acute or chronic MPTP exposure and continued through scheduled behavioral and tissue assessments
H₂ water was associated with preservation of dopaminergic neurons and lower 8-oxoG and 4-HNE. Superoxide detected with DHE was not significantly reduced.
Multiple small mouse experiments, laboratory outcomes and no patients. It cannot establish prevention or treatment of human Parkinson’s disease.
What kind of evidence is this?
Preclinical
Controlled acute and chronic MPTP mouse experiments with H₂ concentration response
Parkinson’s disease
H₂-rich water
Information not yet classified
Some editorial classification fields are still pending. The source-reported outcomes and result are shown below; Hydrogenology does not infer a positive or negative signal from prose automatically.
Methods
Mice exposed to acute injections or chronic infusion of MPTP
Individual experiments commonly used n=4–6/group
Water began before acute or chronic MPTP exposure and continued through scheduled behavioral and tissue assessments
Ad libitum H₂-containing drinking water prepared by H₂ bubbling or magnesium reaction
H₂ dissolved in drinking water — H₂ only, not Brown’s gas and not inhalation.
0.04, 0.08, 0.5 and 1.5 ppm were studied; 0.08 ppm was reported to produce an effect similar to 1.5 ppm in the concentration experiment.
MPTP and saline groups receiving non-H₂ water
Outcomes and reported result
Dopaminergic neurons, motor activity, 8-oxoG, 4-HNE and superoxide signal
H₂ water was associated with preservation of dopaminergic neurons and lower 8-oxoG and 4-HNE. Superoxide detected with DHE was not significantly reduced.
Concentration response, methods, figures and positive and null results checked in the open-access full text.
A reported association, difference or mechanism is not automatically a clinical benefit.
Limitations and applicability
Multiple small mouse experiments, laboratory outcomes and no patients. It cannot establish prevention or treatment of human Parkinson’s disease.
MPTP mouse models of dopaminergic injury, not people with Parkinson’s disease.
No single-study GRADE certainty rating is assigned. Read how records and evidence assessments are prepared.
Sources and record status
PMID: 19789628 · DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007247
Open-access full text is available through PMC.
Open-access PMC full text and PubMed record.
10 August 2026
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