Hydrogen Gas Protects Kidneys from Sepsis Damage in Mice
- Authors
- Shuaijie Pei, Lina Zheng, Zhigang Tian, Shuqi Meng, Zhiwei Wang, Yan Fan, Jianfeng Liu, Yan Cui, Keliang Xie
- Journal
- International Immunopharmacology
- Year
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.113410
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Sepsis
- Body System
- Renal
TL;DR
Breathing in high levels of hydrogen gas helps mice with sepsis survive longer and protects their kidneys by reducing inflammation and improving mitochondrial function.
Key Finding
In septic mice with acute kidney injury, inhaling high-concentration hydrogen improved kidney function, reduced inflammatory markers, and increased 7-day survival rates by promoting healthy mitochondrial function and reducing cellular damage.
Summary
This study tested whether inhaling high-concentration hydrogen gas could help mice with sepsis (a severe infection condition) that had developed acute kidney injury (rapid loss of kidney function). Researchers found that hydrogen inhalation improved kidney function, reduced inflammatory markers, boosted the kidney's natural antioxidant defenses, and increased survival rates. The beneficial effects appeared to work by improving how mitochondria (the energy-producing structures inside cells) function and communicate within kidney cells.
Practical Takeaway
While this mouse study suggests hydrogen gas inhalation may help protect kidneys during severe infection, these results cannot yet be applied to humans. The study was conducted only in animals, and no human trials have been completed. Much more research, including human clinical trials, would be needed before hydrogen therapy could be considered a treatment for sepsis-related kidney injury in patients.
Abstract
Sepsis is a major cause of mortality among critical patients. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is the common complication in patients with sepsis, characterized by rapid deterioration of renal function. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of inhaling high concentration hydrogen on septic mice with AKI and to examine the involvement of mitochondria in this process. High concentration hydrogen does not cause hypoxia and can alleviate AKI and improve 7-day survival in septic mice. Inflammatory factors are markedly elevated in the serum and renal tissues in CLP group which are dramatically down-regulated by hydrogen. The activities of both antioxidant enzymes are significantly reduced after CLP, whereas hydrogen markedly increases the activities of SOD and CAT. MMP is found to be significantly lower in CLP group whereas this effect is reversed by hydrogen. The trend of ATP content in renal tissues corresponded with that of MMP. There is a substantial downregulation of PGC-1α, Nrf2, and TFAM protein in CLP group. Drp1 expression is significantly higher in CLP group compared to Sham group, while the opposite trend is observed for MFN2. Hydrogen can reverse these changes. Inhalation of high concentration hydrogen can improve acute kidney injury, 7-day survival, inflammatory response and oxidative stress in septic mice. The mechanism may be related to inhibit renal mitochondrial fission and promote mitochondrial fusion and biogenesis.