Subcutaneous injection of hydrogen gas is a novel effective treatment for type 2 diabetes.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: In previous studies, hydrogen gas (H administration has clearly shown effectiveness in inhibiting diabetes. Here, we evaluated whether subcutaneous injection of H shows enhanced efficacy against type 2 diabetes mellitus induced in mice by a high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

H was injected subcutaneously at a dose of 1 mL/mouse/week for 4 weeks. Type 2 diabetes mellitus-associated parameters were then evaluated to determine the effectiveness of subcutaneous H administration.

RESULTS

The bodyweight of H -treated mice did not change over the course of the experiment. Compared with the untreated control animals, glucose, insulin, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels in the serum were significantly lower in treated mice, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum was significantly higher. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were both improved in H -treated mice. Diabetic nephropathy analysis showed significant reductions in urine volume, urinary total protein and β2-microglobulin, kidney/bodyweight ratio, and kidney fibrosis associated with subcutaneous injection of H .

CONCLUSIONS

Subcutaneous injection of H significantly improves type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy-related outcomes in a mouse model, supporting further consideration of subcutaneous injection as a novel and effective route of clinical H administration.