Hydrogen-Rich Saline Reduces Complications After Bone Marrow Transplant
- Authors
- Jianming Cai
- Journal
- Medical Science Monitor
- Year
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.12659/MSM.891338
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
Treating mice with hydrogen-rich saline after a bone marrow transplant improved their survival and reduced signs of a serious post-transplant complication.
Key Finding
In mice receiving bone marrow transplants, hydrogen-rich saline increased survival rates and reduced the severity of acute graft-versus-host disease while lowering inflammatory markers.
Summary
Researchers gave mice that received bone marrow transplants either hydrogen-rich saline or regular saline to see if hydrogen could help prevent a serious complication called acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD), where the transplanted cells attack the recipient's body). Mice receiving hydrogen-rich saline had better survival rates, less severe disease symptoms, faster white blood cell recovery, and lower levels of inflammatory molecules in their blood compared to control mice.
Practical Takeaway
While these results are promising, this is an early-stage mouse study only—not human research. The findings suggest hydrogen-rich saline may help reduce transplant complications, but much more research, including human trials, would be needed before any clinical use. Anyone undergoing stem-cell transplantation should discuss any experimental treatments only with their transplant team.
Abstract
Background: Hydrogen, as a novel antioxidant, has been shown to selectively reduce the level of hydroxyl radicals and alleviate acute oxidative stress in many animal experiments. Hydrogen-rich saline provides a high concentration of hydrogen that can be easily and safely applied. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) has been the most curative therapy for hematological malignancies. However, acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is the main cause of death in post-transplantation patients. In this study, we examined whether hydrogen-rich saline would show favorable effects on acute GVHD in mice. Material and methods: After lethal irradiation, BALB/c mice received bone marrow transplantation from C57BL/6 mice. Hydrogen-rich saline (5 ml/kg) was given to recipient mice in the hydrogen group once a day by intraperitoneal injection, and saline (5 ml/kg) was given to recipient mice in the saline group. Survival rates were monitored, clinical and pathological scores of aGVHD were determined after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), and the serum cytokine levels were examined on the 7th day after BMT. Results: This study proves that hydrogen-rich saline increased the survival rate, reduced clinical and histopathological scores of aGVHD, promoted the recovery of white blood cells, reduced the serum cytokine levels, and reversed tissue damage after transplantation in mice. Conclusions: Hydrogen has potential as an effective and safe therapeutic agent in aGVHD.