Hydrogen-Rich Saline in Rats with Eye Injury
Hydrogen-rich saline promotes survival of retinal ganglion cells in a rat model of optic nerve crush
Research hubs: Eyes & Vision System · Brain & Nervous System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Jing-Chuan Sun, Tao Xu, Qiao Zuo, Ruo-Bing Wang, Ai-Qing Qi, Wen-Luo Cao, Ai-Jun Sun, Xue-Jun Sun, Jiajun Xu
- Journal
- PLoS One
- Year
- 2014
- PMID
- 24915536
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- hydrogen-rich saline every day for 14 days after optic nerve crush
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 31 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas helps protect eye nerve cells and maintain vision in rats after an eye injury.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline significantly increased survival of retinal ganglion cells and preserved visual function in rats with optic nerve crush injury, while reducing markers of oxidative stress.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich saline could protect nerve cells in the eye after an optic nerve injury in rats. Rats that received hydrogen-rich saline daily for two weeks after the injury had more surviving retinal ganglion cells (the nerve cells that transmit visual information), less cell death, lower levels of oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules), and better visual function compared to rats that received regular saline.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen may have neuroprotective properties for optic nerve injuries, but these results cannot yet be applied to humans. Much more research, including human clinical trials, would be needed to determine if hydrogen-rich saline could help prevent vision loss in people with optic nerve damage.
Abstract (excerpt)
Objective: To investigate the effect of molecular hydrogen (H2) in a rat model subjected to optic nerve crush (ONC). Methods: We tested the hypothesis that after optic nerve crush (ONC), retinal ganglion cell (RGC) could be protected by H₂. Rats in different groups received saline or hydrogen-rich…