Hydrogen Therapy Reduces Pregnancy Complications in Study
- Authors
- Lili Guo, Ming Liu, Tao Duan
- Journal
- Advances in Clinical and Experimental Medicine
- Year
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.17219/acem/154623
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Preeclampsia
- Body System
- Reproductive
TL;DR
Hydrogen treatment can reduce inflammation and damage in the placentas of pregnant rats with a condition similar to preeclampsia by blocking a specific stress-related pathway.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced oxidative stress markers and inflammatory molecules in placental tissue of pregnant rats with induced high blood pressure, apparently by inhibiting the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Summary
Researchers used pregnant rats with artificially induced high blood pressure to test whether hydrogen-rich saline could help reduce harmful effects. They found that hydrogen-rich saline lowered markers of cellular damage (MDA), protein in urine, and inflammatory molecules (TNF-α and IL-1β) in placental tissue. The hydrogen appeared to work by blocking a specific cellular signaling pathway called p38 MAPK that contributes to oxidative stress (damage from unstable molecules called free radicals).
Practical Takeaway
This is an animal study in rats, so results cannot be directly applied to humans. While the findings suggest hydrogen may have a protective mechanism against preeclampsia-related damage, human clinical trials would be needed to determine if hydrogen water or hydrogen-rich saline could be safe or effective for pregnant people with high blood pressure. The study does not provide evidence for consumer use of hydrogen water.
Abstract
Background: Hypertensive disorders complicating pregnancy (HDCP) are one of the most serious medical disorders during pregnancy. Objectives: To investigate the effects of hydrogen on the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in preeclampsia (PE). Material and methods: The N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)-induced PE model with Sprague Dawley (SD) rats was employed. An inhibitor of MAPK signaling pathways (SB203580) was used as a p38 MAPK inhibitor. The SD rats were randomized into 5 groups: non-pregnant (NP); normal pregnancy (P); pregnancy + L-NAME (L); pregnancy + L-NAME + hydrogen-rich saline (LH); and pregnancy + L-NAME + hydrogen-rich saline + SB203580 (LHS). The pregnancies were terminated on day 22 of gestation, and the placentas and kidneys were microscopically inspected. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed. The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and level of proteinuria were recorded. The p38 MAPK mRNA expression and p-p38 MAPK protein levels were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. Results: It was found that hydrogen-rich saline (LH group) decreased placental MDA, proteinuria, TNF-α, and IL-1β levels in the placental tissues compared with the L group (all p < 0.05). Additionally, hydrogen-rich saline (LH group) treatment significantly decreased the p38 MAPK mRNA expression and p-p38 MAPK protein levels compared with the L group (p < 0.05). The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 (LHS group) further decreased the p38 MAPK mRNA expression and p-p38 MAPK protein levels compared with the LH group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Hydrogen can decrease the reactive oxygen species (ROS) content and inhibit the MAPK pathway. The protective effect of hydrogen may be associated with the inhibition of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.