Hydrogen Water and Brain Function in Rats with Sepsis
Hydrogen-rich saline reverses oxidative stress, cognitive impairment, and mortality in rats submitted to sepsis by cecal ligation and puncture
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System · Immune System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Jun Zhou, Ye Chen, Guo-Qing Huang, Jun Li, Gang-Ming Wu, Li Liu, Yi-Ping Bai, Jian Wang
- Journal
- Journal of Surgical Research
- Year
- 2012
- PMID
- 22482765
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 2.5 mL/kg or 10 mL/kg hydrogen-rich saline intraperitoneally, 10 min before operation
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 48 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline may help reduce brain damage and improve survival and thinking abilities in rats with sepsis.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline improved survival rates and reversed cognitive dysfunction and brain oxidative stress in rats with sepsis, with effects increasing at higher doses.
Summary
In rats with sepsis (a life-threatening infection), hydrogen-rich saline (salt water containing dissolved hydrogen) reduced brain damage, improved survival rates, and prevented cognitive problems. The treatment worked by reducing harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species that damage brain cells, particularly in a brain region called the hippocampus that's important for memory.
Practical Takeaway
This is early evidence from animal studies only—it has not been tested in humans with sepsis. The findings suggest hydrogen-rich saline may have brain-protective properties during severe infection, but much more research, including human trials, would be needed before any therapeutic use could be considered.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Sepsis is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and survivors can present with cognitive dysfunction. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) on oxidative stress in the brain, cognitive dysfunction, and mortality in a rat model…