Hydrogen-Rich Saline and Smoking-Related Lung Disease in Rats
Hydrogen-rich saline inhibits tobacco smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by alleviating airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in rats
Research hubs: Respiratory System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Zibing Liu, Wenye Geng, Chuanwei Jiang, Shujun Zhao, Yong Liu, Ying Zhang, Shucun Qin, Chenxu Li, Xinfang Zhang, Yanhong Si
- Journal
- Experimental Biology and Medicine
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 28795606
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 10 ml/kg hydrogen-rich saline intraperitoneally for 4 weeks
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 15 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in a saline solution rich in hydrogen can help protect the lungs from damage caused by smoking.
Key Finding
In rats with tobacco smoke-induced COPD, hydrogen-rich saline treatment improved lung function, reduced airway inflammation and mucus production, and decreased oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules).
Summary
Researchers exposed rats to tobacco smoke for 12 weeks to create a model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, a lung condition that makes breathing difficult). During the last 4 weeks, they treated some rats with hydrogen-rich saline (salt water containing dissolved hydrogen gas). The treated rats showed improved lung function, less airway inflammation, reduced mucus buildup in airways, and lower markers of cellular damage compared to untreated rats.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help protect against COPD-related lung damage through multiple mechanisms. However, this is early-stage research in animals only—human studies would be needed to determine if these effects apply to people with COPD. The findings do not yet support using hydrogen water as a COPD treatment.
Abstract (excerpt)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease induced by tobacco smoke has been regarded as a great health problem worldwide. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline, a novel antioxidant, on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and explore the underlying…