Hydrogen Saline Protects Liver from Surgery Damage in Pig Study
- Authors
- Hui Li, Ge Bai, Yansong Ge, Qianzhen Zhang, Xiangdong Kong, Weijing Meng, Hong-Bin Wang
- Journal
- Life Sciences
- Year
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.12.022
- Study Type
- Pig
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury
- Body System
- Hepatic
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) may protect the liver from damage caused by blood supply interruption and surgery by reducing cellular stress.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced liver damage from ischemia-reperfusion injury (temporary loss of blood flow followed by restoration) by suppressing multiple stress-related proteins in liver cells.
Summary
Researchers tested hydrogen-rich saline (a salt solution containing dissolved hydrogen gas) in pigs undergoing liver surgery that temporarily cuts off blood flow to part of the liver. They found that hydrogen-rich saline reduced damage to liver cells by decreasing activity in a cellular stress pathway called endoplasmic reticulum stress, which normally gets activated when tissues don't get enough oxygen.
Practical Takeaway
While this animal study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may protect liver tissue during surgery, it was conducted only in pigs and does not directly demonstrate benefits in humans. More research, including human trials, would be needed before any clinical recommendations could be made.
Abstract
Aim: Our research investigated the role of Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) on the Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) pathway and the effect of HRS on tissue injury in small Bama pig model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion combined with partial hepatectomy. Main methods: Eighteen healthy Bama miniature pigs were randomly divided equally into three groups: Sham, IRI, and HRS. Laparoscopic technique was employed to establish the model of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion combined with partial hepatectomy. HRS (10mL/kg) was injected into the portal vein 10min before perfusion. Histological examinations of the liver tissues were performed after HE staining. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy was performed to detect liver cell microstructure. Real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining were performed to analyze various ERS molecules including GRP78, p-eIF2α, XBP-1s, Full-length ATF6α, p-JNK, ATF4, and CHOP. Key findings: We observed that HRS visibly improved ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) by reducing various parameters of ERS stress as evidenced by down-regulation of the mRNA as well as protein levels of GRP78, p-eIF2α, XBP-1s, p-JNK, and CHOP, and reducing the cleavage of Full-length ATF6α. Significance: Our study demonstrates that HRS protects the liver from IRI by inhibiting ERS.