Hydrogen Saline Reduces Pancreas Inflammation in Animal Study
Effects of Hydrogen-Rich Saline on Taurocholate-Induced Acute Pancreatitis in Rat
Research hubs: Digestive System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- De-Qing Zhang, Huang Feng, Wei-Chang Chen
- Journal
- Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Year
- 2013
- PMID
- 23983797
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- intravenous hydrogen-rich saline injections
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 19 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Injecting rats with hydrogen-rich saline helps reduce the damage and inflammation caused by severe acute pancreatitis.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline injections reduced inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in rats with severe acute pancreatitis while enhancing the body's natural antioxidant defenses.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-rich saline (salt water containing dissolved hydrogen) could help treat severe acute pancreatitis (sudden pancreas inflammation) in rats. Researchers injected the hydrogen-rich saline into rats with induced pancreatitis and measured markers of oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules called free radicals) and inflammation. The treatment reduced inflammatory chemicals in the blood, decreased markers of cellular damage, and boosted the body's natural antioxidant defenses.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help reduce pancreatic inflammation and oxidative damage, but it is early-stage animal research only. Human studies would be needed to determine whether these effects translate to people with pancreatitis, and the study does not address whether drinking hydrogen water (a different delivery method) would have similar effects.
Abstract (excerpt)
Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). As an ideal exterminator of poisonous free radicals, hydrogen can clearly reduce the degree of oxidative damage caused by severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) and lessen the presence of inflammatory cytokines…