ANTIDISLIPIDEMIC POTENTIAL OF MOLECULAR HYDROGEN IN METABOLIC SYNDROME

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by lipid metabolism disorders, including increased triacylglycerols (TAG), total cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), along with decreased high-density lipoproteins (HDL). Molecular hydrogen (H₂) may influence lipid metabolism through antioxidant properties and regulation of metabolic pathways.Objective: to study the effect of molecular hydrogen-enriched water on lipid profile parameters in rats with experimentally induced MS.Material and Methods. MS was induced in rats by prolonged feeding with a high-calorie diet. A subset of rats received water enriched with molecular hydrogen (0.6 ppm). Serum concentrations of TAG, total cholesterol, LDL, and HDL were measured. The effectiveness of H₂ intervention was assessed at 6, 12, and 20 weeks after the start of the experiment.Results. Metabolic syndrome (MS) induced a progressive increase in triacylglycerol (TAG) levels: by 36% in the 6-week group, 47% in the 12-week group, and 64% in the 20-week group compared to controls. H₂ intervention showed an age-dependent effect: changes were minimal in the 6-week group, TAG levels decreased by 9% in the 12-week group, and by 28% in the 20-week group relative to MS. Total cholesterol levels in MS animals increased by 57% (6 weeks), 115% (12 weeks), and 117% (20 weeks). H₂ treatment significantly reduced total cholesterol by 23% only in the 20-week group, while the effect in younger groups was negligible. LDL increased by 62%, 145%, and 133% compared to controls, with H₂ reducing LDL by 20% in the 12-week group and 29% in the 20-week group. HDL decreased by 13–28% under MS and were minimally affected by H₂ intervention.Conclusion. MS in rats leads to significant lipid metabolism disturbances that worsen with age and disease duration. H₂ intervention partially normalizes TAG, total cholesterol, and LDL, especially during prolonged MS, while its effect on HDL is minimal. These findings support the potential of molecular hydrogen as a therapeutic agent for correcting an atherogenic lipid profile.