Hydrogen Therapy Protects Lungs from Sepsis Damage in Rats
Hydrogen-rich saline regulates the polarization and apoptosis of alveolar macrophages and attenuates lung injury via suppression of autophagy in septic 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
- Peng Qiu, Yang Liu, Keyan Chen, Youjing Dong, Shiqing Liu, Jin Zhang
- Journal
- Annals of Translational Medicine
- Year
- 2021
- PMID
- 34277774
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 27 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) may help protect against lung damage during sepsis by affecting immune cell behavior and survival.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced sepsis-induced lung injury in rats by suppressing autophagy in immune cells, which decreased cell death and shifted macrophages toward a protective, anti-inflammatory state.
Summary
Researchers gave hydrogen-rich saline to rats with sepsis-induced lung injury and found it reduced lung damage by affecting immune cells called alveolar macrophages. The treatment worked by suppressing autophagy (a cellular cleanup process), which in turn reduced cell death and shifted macrophages from a pro-inflammatory state to an anti-inflammatory state. This suggests hydrogen-rich saline may protect lungs during severe infection by changing how immune cells behave.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study in rats, not humans, so its relevance to human sepsis treatment remains unclear. The findings suggest a potential mechanism by which hydrogen-rich saline might help protect lungs during severe infection, but much more research—including human trials—would be needed before any clinical applications could be considered.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) has a protective effect on sepsis-induced lung injury. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Polarization and apoptosis of macrophages are essential factors in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI). Moreover, autophagy is involved…