Hydrogen Gas Protects Kidneys from Sleep Apnea-Related Damage
- Authors
- Peng Guan, Zhi-Min Sun, Li-Fei Luo, Ya-Shuo Zhao, Sheng-Chang Yang, Fu-Yang Yu, Na Wang, En-Sheng Ji
- Journal
- Molecules
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.3390/molecules24061184
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia
- Body System
- Renal
TL;DR
Hydrogen gas (H2) treatment can reduce kidney damage caused by intermittent low oxygen levels, partly by preventing iron buildup in the kidney.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas reduced kidney damage caused by chronic low-oxygen conditions by decreasing iron accumulation in kidney cells and lowering oxidative stress.
Summary
This study in rats examined whether hydrogen gas could protect kidneys from damage caused by chronic intermittent hypoxia (periods of low oxygen). The researchers found that low oxygen caused iron to build up in kidney cells, leading to cell damage and death. When rats were treated with hydrogen gas, the iron buildup decreased, and kidney damage, cell death, and oxidative stress (harmful chemical reactions) were significantly reduced.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen gas may help protect kidneys from damage related to low-oxygen conditions by managing iron levels and reducing harmful chemical reactions. However, this is early-stage animal research, and it remains unclear whether these effects would occur in humans or what dose and delivery method would be needed.
Abstract
Iron-induced oxidative stress has been found to be a central player in the pathogenesis of kidney injury. Recent studies have indicated H2 can be used as a novel antioxidant to protect cells. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of H2 against chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced renal injury and its correlation mechanism involved in iron metabolism. We found that CIH-induced renal iron overloaded along with increased apoptosis and oxidative stress. Iron accumulates mainly occurred in the proximal tubule epithelial cells of rats as showed by Perl’s stain. Moreover, we found that CIH could promote renal transferrin receptor and divalent metal transporter-1 expression, inhibit ceruloplasmin expression. Renal injury, apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by CIH were strikingly attenuated in H2 treated rats. In conclusion, hydrogen may attenuate CIH-induced renal injury at least partially via inhibiting renal iron overload.