Hydrogen Water Protects Liver from Surgery-Related Damage in Rats
Hydrogen-Rich Saline Ameliorates Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Through Regulation of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis
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
- Zhiyuan Lu, Yanzhu Lin, Bo Peng, Zhen Bao, Kexin Niu, Jin Gong
- Journal
- Digestive Diseases and Sciences
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 29086332
- Study Type
- Rat
- Participants
- 40
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 12 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline (HS) helps reduce liver damage and cell death caused by temporary loss of blood supply followed by restoration (ischemia-reperfusion injury).
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline significantly reduced liver damage markers and cell death in rats experiencing ischemia-reperfusion injury, with improvements linked to reduced stress in the endoplasmic reticulum (a cellular structure involved in protein production).
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-rich saline (salt water containing dissolved hydrogen gas) could protect rat livers from damage caused by temporarily cutting off blood flow and then restoring it—a type of injury that can occur during liver surgery. Researchers compared livers treated with hydrogen-rich saline to those treated with regular saline after different periods of blood flow interruption. Livers treated with hydrogen-rich saline showed better function, less oxidative damage (a type of cellular injury), and fewer dying cells compared to the control group.
Practical Takeaway
While these results are promising, this is an animal study in rats, so it's unclear whether the same protective effects would occur in humans. Early evidence suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help protect liver tissue during surgical procedures involving blood flow interruption, but human clinical trials would be needed before any medical applications could be recommended.
Abstract (excerpt)
Objective: To evaluate the effect of hydrogen-rich saline (HS) on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Methods: Forty rats were randomly allocated into five groups: one sham group (control group), one group treated with 20 min of ischemia and normal saline (NS; I/R1 + NS group), one group…