Hydrogen Water Protects Kidneys from Severe Pancreatitis Damage

Authors
Journal
Mediators of Inflammation
Year
DOI
10.1155/2015/685043
Study Type
Rat
Outcome
Positive
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
China
Health Condition
Severe Acute Pancreatitis
Body System
Renal

TL;DR

Hydrogen-rich saline may help protect the kidneys from damage during severe acute pancreatitis by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

Key Finding

Hydrogen-rich saline reduced kidney damage and inflammatory markers in rats with severe pancreatitis by neutralizing harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species and blocking a key inflammatory pathway in cells.

Summary

This rat study tested whether hydrogen-rich saline (a salt solution containing dissolved hydrogen gas) could protect the kidneys during severe pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Researchers gave rats either hydrogen-rich saline or regular saline after inducing pancreatitis, then measured kidney damage and inflammatory markers. Hydrogen-rich saline reduced kidney injury markers, decreased harmful inflammatory chemicals, and boosted the body's natural antioxidant defenses compared to regular saline.

Practical Takeaway

This is early-stage research in animals only, so it cannot yet predict effects in humans. While the results suggest hydrogen-rich saline may have protective potential for kidney complications in severe pancreatitis, clinical trials in humans would be needed before any therapeutic recommendations could be made.

Abstract

Hydrogen (H2), a new antioxidant, was reported to reduce •OH and ONOO− selectively and inhibit certain proinflammatory mediators to product, without disturbing metabolic redox reactions or ROS involved in cell signaling. We herein aim to explore its protective effects on acute renal injury in sodium taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis and its possible mechanisms. Rats were injected with hydrogen-rich saline (HRS group) or normal saline (SO and SAP group) through tail intravenously (6 mL/kg) and compensated subcutaneously (20 mL/kg) after successful modeling. Results showed that hydrogen-rich saline attenuated the following: (1) serum Cr and BUN, (2) pancreatic and renal pathological injuries, (3) renal MDA, (4) renal MPO, (5) serum IL-1β, IL-6, and renal TNF- α, HMGB1, and (6) tyrosine nitration, IκB degradation, and NF-κB activation in renal tissues. In addition, it increased the level of IL-10 and SOD activity in renal tissues. These results proved that hydrogen-rich saline attenuates acute renal injury in sodium taurocholate-induced acute pancreatitis, presumably because of its detoxification activity against excessive ROS, and inhibits the activation of NF-κB by affecting IκB nitration and degradation. Our findings highlight the potential value of hydrogen-rich saline as a new therapeutic method on acute renal injury in severe acute pancreatitis clinically.