Hydrogen water ameliorates the severity of atopic dermatitis-like lesions and decreases interleukin-1β, interleukin-33, and mast cell infiltration in NC/Nga mice

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of hydrogen water (HW) on the severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) and elucidate the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. METHODS: For this experimental study between March 2015 and December 2015, NC/Nga mice characterized by mild AD severity were given either HW (n=11) or purified water (PW) (n=9) ad libitum; specific-pathogen-free mice (n=9) were used as AD-free control. Atopic dermatitis severity score and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) were examined at baseline (0 week), and after 4 weeks of HW/PW treatment. Levels of serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and cytokines in the AD lesion were measured by ELISA; and mRNA expression of TARC and aquaporin (AQP-3) genes in the skin was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Mice treated with HW for 4 weeks demonstrated a significant decrease in the AD severity score compared with PW-treated mice (p<0.01). Hydrogen water administration also significantly reduced TEWL and serum TARC levels (p<0.01), infiltration of mast cells (p<0.05), and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-33 (p<0.05) in skin lesions compared with PW. However, no difference was observed between PW and HW groups in interferon-g secretion and expression of AQP-3 and TARC genes. CONCLUSION: Hydrogen water suppressed inflammation in AD mice, leading to amelioration of disease severity, which suggests the therapeutic potential of HW in AD treatment.