Hydrogen Water Protects Kidneys from Blockage Damage in Rats

Authors
Journal
International Immunopharmacology
Year
DOI
10.1016/j.intimp.2013.06.033
Study Type
Rat
Outcome
Positive
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
China
Health Condition
Kidney Disease
Body System
Urinary System

TL;DR

Hydrogen-rich saline (HS) can significantly reduce kidney damage and improve kidney health in rats with blocked ureters.

Key Finding

Hydrogen-rich saline significantly reduced kidney injury, cell death, scarring, and inflammation in rats with ureteral obstruction, while improving the kidneys' natural antioxidant defenses.

Summary

Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich saline (a salt solution containing dissolved hydrogen gas) could protect rat kidneys from injury caused by a blocked ureter. Rats with blocked ureters that received hydrogen-rich saline showed less kidney damage, less cell death, less scarring, and better antioxidant enzyme activity compared to rats that received regular saline or no treatment.

Practical Takeaway

This rat study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help protect kidneys from obstruction-related damage, but these results cannot yet be applied to humans. Further research in human subjects would be needed to determine whether hydrogen water or hydrogen-rich saline could have similar protective effects in people with kidney disease.

Abstract (excerpt)

Hydrogen has been demonstrated to have effective protection against tissue injuries caused by oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. This study investigated the efficacy of hydrogen-rich saline (HS) on the prevention of renal injury induced by unilateral ureteric obstruction (UUO) in rats…

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