Hydrogen-Enhanced Dialysis Solution Protects Kidney Patients' Membranes

Summary by Hydrogen Studies Editorial Team · Updated

Authors
Journal
BMC Nephrology
Year
DOI
10.1186/s12882-017-0741-0
Study Type
Rat
Outcome
Positive
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
Japan
Health Condition
End-Stage Kidney Disease
Body System
Renal

TL;DR

Adding molecular hydrogen to peritoneal dialysis solutions helps protect the lining of the abdomen in rats from damage caused by the dialysis process.

Key Finding

Peritoneal dialysis solutions enriched with dissolved molecular hydrogen reduced damage to the peritoneal membrane's protective cell layer and decreased markers of cell death and inflammation in rats.

Summary

This rat study tested whether adding molecular hydrogen (H2, a gas) to peritoneal dialysis solutions could protect the peritoneal membrane—the lining inside the abdomen used in kidney dialysis treatment. Researchers gave rats different dialysis solutions over 10 days and found that solutions containing H2 reduced damage to the membrane's protective cell layer and caused less inflammation compared to standard dialysis solutions, even when iron (which causes oxidative damage) was added.

Practical Takeaway

This early-stage rat study suggests that adding hydrogen to dialysis solutions may help protect the peritoneal membrane from damage during long-term treatment. However, this is animal research only, and it remains unclear whether these benefits would translate to humans or how practical it would be to implement clinically. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before this could become a standard treatment option.

Abstract (excerpt)

Background Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is used as renal replacement therapy in patients with end-stage kidney disease. However, peritoneal membrane failure remains problematic and constitutes a critical cause of PD discontinuation. Recent studies have revealed the unique biological action of molecular…

Read the full abstract via DOI