Hydrogen Protects Gut Barrier from Sepsis-Related Damage in Lab Study
- Authors
- Tao Yang, Lu Wang, Ruiqiang Sun, Hongguang Chen, Hongtao Zhang, Yang Yu, Yanyan Wang, Guolin Wang, Yonghao Yu, Ke-Liang Xie
- Journal
- Shock
- Year
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1097/SHK.0000000000000503
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Sepsis
- Body System
- Gastrointestinal
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas can help fix leakiness in the gut caused by severe infection, possibly by affecting certain cellular pathways.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich medium protected intestinal cells from lipopolysaccharide-induced barrier damage by activating a cellular pathway (RhoA-mDia1) that strengthens the connections between cells.
Summary
This laboratory study tested whether hydrogen-rich liquid could protect intestinal cells from damage caused by lipopolysaccharide (a bacterial toxin that triggers inflammation). Researchers grew human intestinal cells in dishes and exposed them to the toxin with or without hydrogen-rich medium. They found that hydrogen reduced the toxin's damaging effects by strengthening the cell barrier and reducing harmful molecules called free radicals, working through a specific cellular signaling pathway called RhoA-mDia1.
Practical Takeaway
While this cell culture study suggests hydrogen may help protect the intestinal barrier during severe infection or inflammation, it is very early-stage research conducted in a laboratory dish, not in humans or animals. Much more research would be needed before drawing any conclusions about whether hydrogen water could help people with sepsis or gut barrier problems.
Abstract (excerpt)
Gastrointestinal barrier dysfunction is associated with the severity and prognosis of sepsis. Hydrogen gas (H2) can ameliorate multiple organ damage in septic animals. Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) and mammalian diaphanous-related formin 1 (mDia1) are important to regulate tight junction…