Published online Jan 15, 2022. doi: 10.4251/wjgo.v14.i1.242
Peer-review started: May 19, 2021
First decision: June 16, 2021
Revised: June 30, 2021
Accepted: December 7, 2021
Article in press: December 7, 2021
Published online: January 15, 2022
Processing time: 236 Days and 1.7 Hours
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Tumor removal remains the preferred frontline treatment; however, effective non-surgical interventions remain a high priority. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapy agent, and molecular hydrogen (H2) has been re
To investigate the effects of HRW, with or without 5-FU, as a novel therapeutic for CRC.
CRC was induced in the left flank of inbred Balb/c mice. A total of 24 mice bearing tumors were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6 per group) and treated as follows: (1) Control group; (2) 5-FU group that received intraperitoneal injection of 5-FU (5 mg/kg) every other day; (3) H2 group that received HRW, created and delivered via dissolving the H2-generating tablet in the animals’ drinking water, with 200 μL also delivered by oral gavage; and (4) The com
Administration of HRW + 5-FU significantly improved tumor weight, tumor size, collagen content and fibrosis as compared to the CRC control group. Specifically, HRW attenuated oxidative stress (OS) and potentiated antioxidant activity (AA), whereas 5-FU treatment exacerbated OS and blunted AA. The combination of HRW + 5-FU significantly reduced tumor weight and size, as well as reduced collagen deposition and the degree of fibrosis, while further increasing OS and decreasing AA compared to administration of 5-FU alone.
Administration of HRW, with or without 5-FU, may serve as a therapeutic for treating CRC.
Core Tip: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of death and is often treated with the chemotherapy drug, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), which has some unwanted side effects. Molecular hydrogen (H2 gas) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. H2 gas can be dissolved in water to make hydrogen-rich water (HRW). The effects of HRW, 5-FU and the combination of HRW and 5-FU in a colorectal-cancer mouse model were examined. HRW and 5-FU decreased tumor size and weight with the combination being the most effective. In contrast to 5-FU, HRW attenuated oxidative stress and improved antioxidant activity.