Deuterated water (2H2O, heavy water) labelling to investigate human cell dynamics in vivo - lessons in protocol design and toxicity from the current literature
File(s)
Published version
OA Location
Author(s)
Song, Ami
Zhang, Yan
Busch, Robert
Asquith, Becca
Macallan, Derek
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The use of deuterated water (also known as ‘heavy water’) as a tracer to measure human <jats:italic>in vivo</jats:italic> cell proliferation rates for specific cell subsets has expanded significantly in recent years. Although there have been several published methods papers, investigators developing new applications may be confused by differences in study design and deuterated water dose/duration. Furthermore, this approach may be met with regulatory difficulties and participant concerns about toxicity. This scoping review explores lessons that can be learnt from the current literature on the use of deuterated water in human <jats:italic>in vivo</jats:italic> studies measuring cell proliferation. We identified 29 such studies involving 535 study participants, both healthy volunteers and those with specific clinical conditions. Wide variations in protocols were noted with doses ranging from 40-100 ml/day of pure deuterated water (or equivalent) and durations from 4-12 weeks. Study design usually reflected the kinetics of the cell of interest. No clinical toxicity signals were noted in any studies although four studies did report transient dizziness, a recognized symptom of changing water density. These published studies provide a strong safety signal for potential participants and regulatory authorities and can act as templates for the development of new research applications.
Date Issued
2025-04-28
Date Acceptance
2025-03-26
Citation
Frontiers in Immunology, 2025, 16
ISSN
1664-3224
Publisher
Frontiers Media S.A.
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Immunology
Volume
16
Copyright Statement
© 2025 Song, Zhang, Busch, Asquith and Macallan. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
License URL
Identifier
10.3389/fimmu.2025.1544193
Subjects
humans
deuterated water
deuterium
deuterium oxide
heavy water
cell proliferation
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
1544193
Date Publish Online
2025-04-28