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Medical Advice Disclaimer: The content of this blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Introduction: As we continue to learn more about the benefits of hydrogen therapy, a new study published in the journal Osteoporosis International has found that treatment with molecular hydrogen can alleviate bone loss caused by microgravity. The study, conducted by a team of researchers led by Y Sun, used both in vivo and in vitro models to investigate the effects of hydrogen water on bone density and strength.

Methods: The study used a hindlimb suspension (HLS) model to mimic microgravity in rats, with the animals exposed to HLS for six weeks. During this time, some of the rats were given hydrogen water (HW) to drink, while others served as controls. The researchers then looked at the effects of hydrogen-rich medium (HRM) on bone cells (MC3T3-E1 and RAW264.7) exposed to modeled microgravity in vitro.

Results: The results of the study showed that treatment with HW alleviated HLS-induced reduction in bone mineral density, ultimate load, stiffness, and energy in both the femur and lumbar vertebra. The HW-treated rats also showed less oxidative stress, as evidenced by lower levels of malondialdehyde and peroxynitrite, and higher levels of total sulfhydryl in these bones. In addition, the HRM incubation had inhibitory effects on ROS formation, and reduction of osteoblastic differentiation, increase of ratio of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand to osteoprotegerin, inducible nitric oxide synthetase upregulation, and Erk1/2 phosphorylation in MC3T3-E1 cells. While for RAW264.7 cells, it had aggravating effects on modeled microgravity-induced ROS formation, osteoclastic differentiation, and osteoclastogenesis.

Conclusion: The study’s findings suggest that treatment with molecular hydrogen can alleviate microgravity-induced bone loss in rats. This has potential implications for spaceflight, as hydrogen could be used as a nutritional countermeasure to protect astronaut’s bones during long-duration missions. However, further research is needed to confirm these results in humans.

In conclusion, molecular hydrogen water may be a potential new treatment option for osteoporosis, and other bone loss conditions. It is a safe, natural, and non-invasive option that may provide a new avenue for preventing and managing bone loss. As always, it is important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.

Sun, Y., et al., Treatment of hydrogen molecule abates oxidative stress and alleviates bone loss induced by modeled microgravity in rats. Osteoporos Int, 2013. 24(3): p. 969-78.