{"id":26831,"date":"2024-01-03T21:39:07","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T19:39:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hho-bulgaria.com\/hydrogen-water-and-photobiomodulation-for-parkinsons-a-pilot-study\/"},"modified":"2024-02-05T02:30:36","modified_gmt":"2024-02-05T00:30:36","slug":"hydrogen-water-and-photobiomodulation-for-parkinsons-a-pilot-study","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hho-bulgaria.com\/en\/hydrogen-water-and-photobiomodulation-for-parkinsons-a-pilot-study\/","title":{"rendered":"Hydrogen Water and Photobiomodulation for Parkinson’s: A Pilot Study"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

1 Introduction<\/h2>\n

Parkinson disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disease, affects approximately 1% of people aged >60 years.[1]<\/a><\/sup> Currently, the only available modality for PD management is symptomatic and is mainly based on exogenous dopaminergic supplement. No cure or disease-modifying approach to halt PD progression is available. In most people, PD progression leads to the impairment of the quality of life and a large economic burden on the patients themselves, their families, and the whole society.[2,3]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Since the discovery of laser in the 1960s, laser therapy has been reported to have the potential to improve wound healing and reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling (review by Lemes et al).[4]<\/a><\/sup> Some animal studies have determined that red to infrared light or photobiomodulation (PBM) is neuroprotective in patients with PD.[5\u20137]<\/a><\/sup> Low-level PBM, involving the application of red to near-infrared light (600\u20131000 nm) at a power density of 1 to 5 W\/cm2<\/sup>, has been clinically applied globally for many disorders that require tissue healing and regeneration and tissue death prevention.[8]<\/a><\/sup> Although the basic mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of PBM is unclear, the mechanisms possibly involve the improvement of mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism,[9,10]<\/a><\/sup> which is in contrast to the main PD pathogeneses involving mitochondrial dysfunction.[11]<\/a><\/sup> The other major PD pathogenesis mechanism is the excessive net production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage. Dysfunctional mitochondria generate overwhelming levels of ROS through the electron transport chain, causing oxidative stress and damage and triggering the apoptosis of the dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Antioxidative therapy has long been expected to attenuate PD risk and progression.[12]<\/a><\/sup> Molecular hydrogen (H2<\/sub>) has recently been found to be a potent and possibly therapeutic antioxidant in both in vitro and in vivo studies (review by Ohta).[13]<\/a><\/sup> H2<\/sub> application could be easily achieved by drinking H2<\/sub>-dissolved water (H2<\/sub> water). A randomized, double-blind study determined that drinking 1000 mL\/<\/strong>d of H2<\/sub>-water for 48 weeks reduced PD severity.[14]<\/a><\/sup><\/p>\n

Despite the abundant available knowledge on PD, no single treatment aiding disease modification is available. A possible reason for this failure is the multifactorial characteristics of PD.[15]<\/a><\/sup> Numerous pathogeneses are involved in PD development and progression, and thus a single-targeted treatment in a clinical trial cannot alleviate the accumulative damage from various sources. In theory, a simultaneous approach that targets multiple sources could be used to resolve the aforementioned concerns, but unexpected adverse effects due to the interaction of combined treatments may occur during clinical trials. Noninvasive or minimally invasive approaches are preferable for a combined therapy because of the well-tolerated safety profile.<\/p>\n

Therefore, the present study aimed to test the safety and effectiveness of the combination of PBM and H2<\/sub> (PBM + H2<\/sub>) for noninvasively improving mitochondria function and suppressing oxidative stress in PD. The present study was initiated by one of the authors (HYL) who has had PD for a long time. The author was able to considerably mitigate PD symptoms through the use of PBM + H2<\/sub>. (Details in Supplemental Video Clip 1 to 4, https:\/\/links.lww.com\/MD\/F560<\/a><\/span>, https:\/\/links.lww.com\/MD\/F561<\/a><\/span>, https:\/\/links.lww.com\/MD\/F562<\/a><\/span>, https:\/\/links.lww.com\/MD\/F563<\/a><\/span> and video clip description, https:\/\/links.lww.com\/MD\/F564<\/a><\/span>) Therefore, this study aimed to assess whether the synergistic effect can be clinically observed through the combined treatment approach.<\/p>\n

2 Methods<\/h2>\n

2.1 Study design<\/h3>\n

This was a small-scale, open-label, single-arm, phase-I\/IIa study. All the participants received daily H2<\/sub> water and PBM simultaneously for 2 weeks. The adverse events and the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores were recorded. Because the purpose of Part IV of the UPDRS is detecting the complications of conventional anti-PD medication use, it was omitted here. The detailed timing of PBM administration and H2<\/sub> water consumption is illustrated in Figure 1<\/a>. This study was approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan (Case No.: 1070003422) and the JIRB of Taipei Medical University (Case No.: N201803065).<\/p>\n

\n
\"F1\"<\/a>
Figure 1: <\/a><\/p>\n
Scheme of the study design. Participants fulfill the criteria of inclusion and exclusion, the ICF of this study was explained and signed. After a week of stable condition (without any change of anti-PD medications or other active medical conditions), the participant will visit our study site for detail instructions of the study on Friday of Week 0. The first UPDRS was scored and blood was drawn for laboratory study. Hydrogen water was supplied, including those to be used during weekend at home. On Week 1 and Week 2, through Monday to Friday, the participant received daily PBM and hydrogen water at study site under the help of our study assistant. On each Friday of Week 1 and 2, UPDRS was recorded and blood sample was collected. On Week 3, the PBM and hydrogen water consumption was ceased. Another UPDRS score and blood sample was collected on Friday before the end of the study. ICF = informed consent form, PBM = photobiomodulation, UPDRS = Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale.<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n

2.2 Patient and public involvement<\/h3>\n

The inclusion criteria of the study were as following:<\/p>\n