Hydrogen Protects Against Radiation Damage to Jaw Bones in Rats
- Authors
- Y. Chen, C. Zong, J. Jia, Y. Liu, Z, Zhang, B. Cai, L. Tian
- Journal
- International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Year
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ijom.2020.04.011
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Osteoradionecrosis
- Body System
- Skeletal
TL;DR
Hydrogen treatment before radiation exposure helps protect rats from jaw bone damage and improves the health of bone cells.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline pre-treatment significantly reduced radiation damage to bone cells and improved clinical outcomes in irradiated rats, including better jaw function and less bone necrosis.
Summary
This study tested whether molecular hydrogen could protect against osteoradionecrosis (bone death caused by radiation therapy) in rats. Researchers gave rats and bone cells hydrogen-rich saline before exposing them to high-dose radiation. Hydrogen reduced harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, improved cell survival and function, and in rats, it reduced bone damage, improved jaw function, and decreased scarring compared to radiation alone.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage animal research showing hydrogen may help protect bone from radiation damage. However, the study was conducted only in rats and cells, not humans, so it's unclear whether these results would apply to people undergoing cancer radiation therapy. More research, including human trials, would be needed before hydrogen could be considered a practical treatment option.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of hydrogen in a rat model of osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ). The rats and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were pre-treated with hydrogen before receiving irradiation (7Gy per fraction, five fractions in total once a day for rats, 4Gy for BMSCs). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell differentiation were measured in the BMSCs. Also, the radioprotective effect of hydrogen for ORNJ in Sprague-Dawley rats was examined by gross clinical manifestations, micro-computed tomography, and histology. Hydrogen significantly reduced the production of ROS in BMSCs after irradiation. The cell viability was significantly decreased after irradiation (P= 0.001), but pre-treatment with hydrogen before irradiation increased the cell viability (P= 0.025). Hydrogen considerably increased the cellular differentiation potential of the irradiated cells. Comparing with the rats underwent irradiaton only, those rats treated by hydrogen-rich saline significantly appeared improved occlusion, salivation, alopecia, oral ulcer, and less bone necrosis. Myofibroblasts accumulated overwhelmingly in the fibrosis medulla and around the sequestrum after irradiation, and this was decreased in the group pre-treated with hydrogen. Hydrogen may represent a strategy for the prevention and treatment of ORNJ. Its high efficacy and low toxicity suggest possible therapeutic application.