Hydrogen Water Protects Heart and Liver from Chemo Drug Side Effects
- Authors
- Yunan Gao, Hongxiao Yang, Yanbin Fan, Lin Li, Jiahui Fang, Wei Yang
- Journal
- Mediators of Inflammation
- Year
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1155/2016/1320365
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Doxorubicin Cardiotoxicity
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Injecting rats with hydrogen-rich saline can reduce heart and liver damage caused by the cancer drug doxorubicin.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced doxorubicin-induced heart and liver damage in rats by decreasing oxidative stress (cellular damage from reactive molecules), inflammation, and cell death.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich saline (a solution containing dissolved hydrogen gas) could protect rats from damage caused by doxorubicin, a powerful chemotherapy drug. They found that the hydrogen-rich saline reduced heart and liver damage, improved survival rates, and lowered markers of cell damage and inflammation in treated rats compared to those receiving only doxorubicin.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help protect against chemotherapy side effects, but it is very early-stage research. Human studies would be needed to determine if these findings apply to cancer patients, and anyone undergoing chemotherapy should discuss any supplements with their oncologist before use.
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) remains the most effective anticancer agent which is widely used in several adult and pediatric cancers, but its application is limited for its cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. Hydrogen, as a selective antioxidant, is a promising potential therapeutic option for many diseases. In this study, we found that intraperitoneal injection of hydrogen-rich saline (H2 saline) ameliorated the mortality, cardiac dysfunction, and histopathological changes caused by DOX in rats. Meanwhile, serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), albumin (ALB), tissue reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also attenuated after H2 saline treatment. What is more, we further demonstrated that H2 saline treatment could inhibit cardiac and hepatic inflammation and apoptosis relative proteins expressions by western blotting test. In conclusion, our results revealed a protective effect of H2 saline on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and hepatotoxicity in rats by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis.