Effect of Molecular Hydrogen Saturated Alkaline Electrolyzed Water on Disuse Muscle Atrophy in Gastrocnemius Muscle
Fujita R, Tanaka Y, Saihara Y, Yamakita M, Ando D, Koyama K. · J Physiol Anthropol. 2011;30(5):195–201.
Study at a glance
Preclinical
Female Wistar rats undergoing hindlimb unloading.
Hydrogen-saturated alkaline electrolyzed water available ad libitum. · Initial 1.5 mg/L, declining to about 0.73 mg/L by the next day.
Three weeks.
The main muscle and oxidative comparisons were largely null; the authors state the intervention did not successfully prevent disuse atrophy.
Small animal groups; water alkalinity and dissolved-H₂ levels differed and the work received a joint Panasonic grant.
What kind of evidence is this?
Preclinical
Randomized controlled rat study
Musculoskeletal and pain research
H₂-rich water
Mostly null preclinical signal.
Muscle mass and oxidative biomarker outcomes in rats.
Methods
Female Wistar rats undergoing hindlimb unloading.
26 rats: eight normal controls and 18 unloaded rats divided into three groups of six.
Three weeks.
Hydrogen-saturated alkaline electrolyzed water available ad libitum.
H₂ dissolved in alkaline electrolyzed drinking water.
Initial 1.5 mg/L, declining to about 0.73 mg/L by the next day.
Normal water and alkaline electrolyzed water containing 0.19 mg/L H₂.
Outcomes and reported result
Muscle weight, 8-OHdG, MDA and SOD.
The main muscle and oxidative comparisons were largely null; the authors state the intervention did not successfully prevent disuse atrophy.
The full article methods, intervention, outcomes, positive and null findings, funding and conflict statements were checked.
A reported association, difference or mechanism is not automatically a clinical benefit.
Limitations and applicability
Small animal groups; water alkalinity and dissolved-H₂ levels differed and the work received a joint Panasonic grant.
The reported hindlimb-unloading rat model only.
SYRCLE animal-study tool — preliminary
Some concerns
Randomization was reported, but small groups, water-composition differences and unclear blinded assessment remain concerns.
Sequence generation checked where reported · Allocation concealment generally unclear · Personnel blinding generally unclear · Outcome-assessor blinding generally unclear · No prospectively registered analysis plan identified
No single-study GRADE certainty rating is assigned. Read how records and evidence assessments are prepared.
Sources and record status
DOI: 10.2114/jpa2.30.195 · DOI: 10.2114/jpa2.30.195
A free publisher or repository full article was checked.
Publisher or repository full article and bibliographic record; checked 10 August 2026.
10 August 2026
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