Hydrogen Water Protects Kidneys from Sepsis Damage in Rats
Hydrogen-rich saline upregulates the Sirt1/NF-κB signaling pathway and reduces vascular endothelial glycocalyx shedding in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Liheng Lin, Deliang Qiu, Fei Yang, Yu Xia, Siyuan Cai, Xiaojun Liao, Wanxin Deng, Changxue Wu
- Journal
- Shock
- Year
- 2024
- PMID
- 38888497
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 10 mL/kg intraperitoneal injection
- Duration
- 1 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 6 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) treatment improves kidney function and survival rates in rats with sepsis by reducing inflammation and protecting the kidney's blood vessel lining.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline improved survival rate from 30% to 70% in septic rats and significantly thickened the protective glycocalyx layer in blood vessel capillaries (from 44 nanometers to 115 nanometers).
Summary
This study tested hydrogen-rich saline (a salt water solution containing dissolved hydrogen gas) in rats with sepsis (a life-threatening infection response). Researchers found that hydrogen-rich saline improved survival rates, reduced kidney damage, and protected the delicate inner lining of blood vessels (called the glycocalyx) from breaking down. The treatment also reduced inflammatory chemicals in the blood and activated protective cellular pathways.
Practical Takeaway
While these results are promising, this is an animal study in rats with artificially induced sepsis, so findings cannot be directly applied to humans. The study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help protect kidneys and blood vessels during severe infection, but human clinical trials would be needed to determine if similar benefits occur in people.
Abstract (excerpt)
ABSTRACT Sepsis causes dysfunction in different organs, but the pathophysiological mechanisms behind it are similar and mainly involve complex hemodynamic and cellular dysfunction. The importance of microcirculatory dysfunction in sepsis is becoming increasingly evident, in which endothelial…