Hydrogen Therapy Protects Brain from Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Authors
- Wenlan Wang, Ya Li, Jie Ren, Feng Xia, Jinsheng Li, Zuo-Ming Zhang
- Journal
- Neurological Research
- Year
- 2012
- DOI
- 10.1179/1743132812Y.0000000106
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
A saline solution enriched with hydrogen gas can reduce brain damage in rats poisoned with carbon monoxide.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced brain damage from carbon monoxide poisoning in rats by suppressing oxidative stress and decreasing immune-related inflammation in the brain.
Summary
Researchers exposed rats to carbon monoxide poisoning and tested whether hydrogen-rich saline could protect their brains. They found that hydrogen-rich saline reduced brain damage by decreasing harmful molecules called free radicals, reducing inflammation (the body's immune response), and preventing the loss of nerve cells. The treatment also preserved myelin, the protective coating around nerve fibers.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing hydrogen-rich saline may have protective effects against carbon monoxide poisoning in the brain. However, results from rat studies do not automatically apply to humans, and no human trials have been conducted. Much more research would be needed before this could be considered a treatment option for people.
Abstract
This experiment was designed to determine whether hydrogen (H(2)) rich saline can ameliorate brain abnormalities in a rat model with acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Sprague-Dawley male rats were used for CO poisoning and H(2) rich saline treatment. Changes in neurons, microglias, and myelin sheath were observed by electron microscope. Neuron loss was assessed by Nissl staining. Antioxidant capacities were evaluated by studying superoxide dismutase activities and malondialdehyde concentration in the brain and serum. Infiltration of macrophages, expression of immune-associated cytokines (MIP-1-alpha and ICAM-1), and changes in myelin basic protein (MBP) were monitored by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. CO-exposed rats showed the increase in neuron loss and the decrease in antioxidant capacities. And H(2) rich saline given after CO poisoning can prevent the alterations mentioned above. CO-mediated oxidative stress caused alterations in MBP, which initiated an adaptive immunological response that led to brain injury. MBP from H(2) rich saline-treated, CO-exposed rats was recognized normally by immunohistochemical staining and western blotting. Electron microscope observation from CO-exposed rats showed an apparent aggregation of microglias. Macrophages from CO-exposed rats were significantly more than those from H(2) rich saline-treated and control rats, and the immunofluorescence observation showed that macrophages were similar to microglias in type. Expression levels of MIP-1-alpha and ICAM-1 increased in the brains of CO-poisoned rats and H(2) rich saline treatment decreased the levels. The results indicate that H(2) rich saline prevents immune-mediated brain injury after CO poisoning.