Hydrogen Saline Protects Brain Cells from Stroke Damage in Rats
Hydrogen saline suppresses neuronal cell apoptosis and inhibits the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-caspase-3 signaling pathway following Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System · Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Da Li, Yanqiu Ai
- Journal
- Molecular Medicine Reports
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 28849153
- Study Type
- Rat
- Participants
- 60
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 0.5 ml/kg/day
- H₂ concentration
- 0.6 mmol/l
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 31 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen-rich saline can help protect the brain from damage after a stroke by reducing inflammation, cell death, and oxidative stress.
Key Finding
Hydrogen saline significantly reduced brain cell death and decreased levels of damage-related proteins (p38 MAPK and caspase-3) in rats with simulated stroke injury.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-enriched saline could protect rat brains from damage caused by stroke. Researchers induced stroke-like injury in rats and gave some of them hydrogen saline while others received no treatment. The hydrogen-treated rats showed less brain cell death and lower levels of proteins associated with cell damage compared to untreated rats, suggesting hydrogen may work by blocking a specific damage pathway in the brain.
Practical Takeaway
While this rat study suggests hydrogen saline may have protective effects against stroke-related brain damage, it is a preliminary animal study and does not yet demonstrate effects in humans. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before any therapeutic claims could be made for stroke treatment.
Abstract (excerpt)
Cerebral ischemia‑reperfusion injury (CIRI) is a serious pathological disease that is associated with a high rate death and disability. Saturated hydrogen (H2) saline exhibits brain protective functions through anti‑inflammatory, antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects. The present study investigated…