Hydrogen Therapy Protects Liver During Surgery in Pigs
Hydrogen-rich saline protects against hepatic injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion and laparoscopic hepatectomy in swine
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (pig)
- Authors
- Yan-Song Ge, Qian-Zhen Zhang, Hui Li, Ge Bai, Zhi-Hui Jiao, Hong-Bin Wang
- Journal
- Hepatobiliary & Pancreatic Diseases International
- Year
- 2018
- PMID
- 30573299
- Study Type
- Pig
- Participants
- 21
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 5 mL/kg or 10 mL/kg injected through portal vein 10 min before reperfusion and at postoperative days 1, 2, and 3
- Duration
- 3 days
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 12 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Treating pigs with hydrogen-rich saline helped protect their livers from damage during surgery and improved liver healing.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced liver damage from surgery and blood flow interruption by decreasing harmful oxidative stress, lowering inflammatory markers, and promoting liver cell regeneration in pigs.
Summary
Researchers tested hydrogen-rich saline (a salt water solution containing dissolved hydrogen gas) in pigs undergoing liver surgery to see if it could reduce damage from temporary loss of blood flow to the liver. The treatment reduced markers of cell damage, lowered inflammatory chemicals in the blood, and improved the liver's ability to heal and regenerate after surgery.
Practical Takeaway
This is an animal study in pigs, so results cannot be directly applied to humans yet. While the findings suggest hydrogen-rich saline may protect liver tissue during surgical stress, human clinical trials would be needed to determine if similar benefits occur in people undergoing liver surgery.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. We investigated the effects of hydrogen on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) and laparoscopic hepatectomy in swine. Methods Twenty-one healthy Bama miniature pigs were randomly divided…