Hydrogen Shows Promise Over Vitamins for Pregnancy Cell Health
- Authors
- Zhong Guan, Huai-Fang Li, Li-Li Guo, Xiang Yang
- Journal
- Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics
- Year
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00404-015-3647-8
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Preeclampsia
- Body System
- Reproductive
TL;DR
High doses of vitamins C and E may harm placental cells, but molecular hydrogen does not have the same negative effects and could be explored as a safer antioxidant treatment for pregnancy-related issues.
Key Finding
High-dose vitamin C and E reduced placental cell viability and increased inflammatory responses in lab-grown cells, while molecular hydrogen at equivalent doses did not produce these harmful effects.
Summary
Researchers tested how three antioxidants—vitamin C, vitamin E, and molecular hydrogen—affect placental cells grown in laboratory dishes. They found that high doses of vitamins C and E reduced cell survival and increased inflammatory markers, while molecular hydrogen at the same doses did not harm cell survival or trigger inflammation, though it did affect a hormone called hCG that the placenta produces.
Practical Takeaway
This early laboratory study suggests molecular hydrogen may be a safer antioxidant option than high-dose vitamins C and E for placental health, but these are cell-culture results only—not human studies. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before any conclusions about hydrogen water and pregnancy could be drawn.
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of three different antioxidants, namely vitamin C, vitamin E, and molecular hydrogen, on cytotrophoblasts in vitro. Methods: Two trophoblast cell lines, JAR and JEG-3, were exposed to different concentrations of vitamin C (0, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 μmol/L), vitamin E (0, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 μmol/L), and molecular hydrogen (0, 25, 50, 100, 500 μmol/L) for 48 h. The cell viability was detected using the MTS assay. The secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were assessed and the expression of TNF-α mRNA was observed by real-time RT-PCR. Results: Cell viability was significantly suppressed by 500 μmol/L vitamins C and E (P 0.05). The expression of TNF-α was increased by 100 μmol/L vitamin C and 50 μmol/L vitamins E, separately or combined (P < 0.05), but not by molecular hydrogen (0-500 μmol/L), as validated by real-time RT-PCR. But the secretion of hCG was both inhibited by 50-500 μmol/L molecular hydrogen and high levels of vitamin C and E, separately or combined. Conclusion: High levels of antioxidant vitamins C and E may have significant detrimental effects on placental function, as reflected by decreased cell viability and secretion of hCG; and placental immunity, as reflected by increased production of TNF-a. Meanwhile hydrogen showed no such effects on cell proliferation and TNF-α expression, but it could affect the level of hCG, indicating hydrogen as a potential candidate of antioxidant in the management of preeclampsia (PE) should be further studied.