Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide Gases Protect Kidneys During Surgery
- Authors
- T. Nishida, T. Hayashi, T. Inamoto, R. Kato, N. Ibuki, K. Takahara, T. Takai, Y. Yoshikawa, T. Uchimoto, K. Saito; N. Tanda; J. Kouno; K. Minami; H. Uehara, H. Hirano, H. Nomi, Y. Okada, H. Azuma
- Journal
- Transplantation Proceedings
- Year
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.transproceed.2017.12.014
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
- Body System
- Renal
TL;DR
Inhaling a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases significantly reduces kidney damage caused by temporary loss and restoration of blood flow.
Key Finding
A combination of hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas provided stronger protection against kidney damage from reduced blood flow than hydrogen gas alone in rats, reducing harmful free radicals and inflammatory markers more effectively.
Summary
This rat study tested whether a mixture of hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide gas could better protect kidneys from damage caused by temporarily cutting off blood flow (a condition called ischemia-reperfusion injury). Researchers compared the dual gas mixture to hydrogen gas alone and found that the combination was more effective at reducing harmful molecules called free radicals and decreasing signs of kidney damage and inflammation.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study that suggests hydrogen gas combined with carbon monoxide may have protective effects on kidney tissue during injury. However, this research was conducted only in rats, and it is unclear whether these results would apply to humans or whether inhaling carbon monoxide would be safe in clinical settings. Much more research would be needed before any conclusions could be drawn for human health.
Abstract
Background: Hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) gas are both reported to reduce reactive oxygen species and alleviate tissue ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) injury. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a mixture of H2 gas and CO gas (dual gas) in comparison with hydrogen gas (H2: 2%) alone on I-R renal injury (composition of dual gas; N2: 77.8%; O2: 20.9%; H2: 1.30%; CO: 250 parts per million). Methods: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 250-280 g) were divided into 5 groups: (1) sham operation control, (2) dual gas inhalation (dual treatment) without I-R treatment, (3) I-R renal injury, (4) H2 gas alone inhalation (H2 treatment) with I-R renal injury, and (5) dual treatment with I-R renal injury. I-R renal injury was induced by clamping the left renal artery and vein for 45 minutes followed by reperfusion, and then contralateral nephrectomy was performed 2 weeks later. Renal function was markedly decreased at 24 hours after reperfusion, and thereafter the effects of dual gas were assessed by histologic examination and determination of the superoxide radical, together with functional and molecular analyses. Results: Pathologic examination of the kidney of I-R rats revealed severe renal damage. Importantly, cytoprotective effects of the dual treatment in comparison with H2 treatment and I-R renal injury were observed in terms of superoxide radical scavenging activity and histochemical features. Rats given dual treatment and I-R renal injury showed significant decreases in blood urea nitrogen. Increased expression of several inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, nuclear factor-κB, hypoxia inducible factor-1α, and heme oxygenase-1) was attenuated by the dual treatment. Conclusions: Dual gas inhalation decreases oxidative stress and markedly improves I-R-induced renal injury.