Hydrogen Water Protects Liver from Pancreatic Damage in Rats
Hydrogen-Rich Saline Attenuates Acute Hepatic Injury in Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis by Inhibiting Inflammation and Apoptosis, Involving JNK and p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase–dependent Reactive Oxygen Species
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
- Qiao Shi, Chen Chen, Wen-hong Deng, Peng Wang, Teng Zuo, Liang Zhao, Jia Yu, Kai-liang Zhao, Fang-chao Mei, Chen Li, Gui-rong Wang, Wei-xing Wang
- Journal
- Pancreas
- Year
- 2016
- PMID
- 27518466
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Duration
- 1 day or less
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 25 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline may help protect the liver from damage during severe pancreatitis by reducing inflammation and cell death.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced liver damage in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis by decreasing oxidative stress and blocking inflammatory cell-death pathways.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-rich saline (salt water containing dissolved hydrogen) could protect the liver from damage during acute necrotizing pancreatitis (a severe pancreas inflammation) in rats. Researchers induced pancreatitis in rats and gave some of them hydrogen-rich saline while monitoring liver function and cellular damage markers. The treatment reduced liver damage, decreased harmful molecules called free radicals, and blocked inflammatory pathways that trigger cell death.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research in animals only, so it cannot yet inform human health decisions. The findings suggest hydrogen-rich saline may have protective effects against pancreatitis-related liver injury, but human studies would be needed to determine if this applies to people and whether it could be a useful treatment.
Abstract (excerpt)
Objectives: The objective of this study was to study the role of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) on acute hepatic injury (AHI) in acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP). Methods: Rats were used for this study and an ANP model was induced by injecting 5% sodium taurocholate into the biliary-pancreatic…