Hydrogen Therapy Prevents Bone Death from Steroid Use in Rabbit Study
- Authors
- Sheng-Li Huang, Jian Jiao, Hong-Wei Yan
- Journal
- Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
- Year
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.3892/etm.2015.2883
- Study Type
- Rabbit
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Femoral Head Necrosis
- Body System
- Musculoskeletal
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline may help prevent bone damage caused by steroid use in rabbits.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced steroid-induced bone damage in rabbits by increasing protective antioxidant levels and improving blood vessel formation in the damaged femoral head.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich saline could protect against bone death in the femoral head (thighbone joint) caused by steroid medications in rabbits. They injected rabbits with steroids to damage the bone, then treated some with hydrogen-rich saline and others with regular saline. The hydrogen-treated rabbits showed less bone damage, higher levels of protective antioxidants (molecules that fight cellular damage), and better blood vessel growth in the affected area compared to the control group.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage animal study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help prevent bone death caused by long-term steroid use, but these results are from rabbits only and have not been tested in humans. Much more research would be needed before any clinical application could be considered.
Abstract
A growing body of evidence suggests that hydrogen is a novel, selective antioxidant that exerts a protective effect against organ damage. The present study investigated the effect of hydrogen-rich saline on corticosteroid‑induced necrosis of the femoral head in an animal model established using prednisolone. A total of 30 healthy, male, adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: Hydrogen‑rich saline (treated with hydrogen‑rich saline via intraperitoneal injection) and placebo (treated with normal saline). At the set time‑points, the structure of the femoral head was examined using a microscope; the concentrations of glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxide (LPO), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and thrombomodulin (TM) in the plasma were measured and the microvessel density was quantified. The results showed that hydrogen‑rich saline significantly decreased the levels of VEGF, TM and LPO and increased the GSH level in steroid‑associated necrosis of the femoral head in the rabbit model. A significant increase in the microvessel density was observed in the hydrogen‑rich saline group. Histopathological staining confirmed the results of the biochemical analysis. The present study demonstrates that hydrogen treatment may alleviate steroid‑associated osteonecrosis by inhibiting oxidative stress. Hydrogen‑rich saline may provide an alternative treatment for steroid-associated necrosis of the femoral head.