Hydrogen Therapy Protects Against Chronic Pancreatitis in Mice Study
- Authors
- Luguang Chen, Chao Ma, Yun Bian, Jing Li, Tiegong Wang, Li Su, Jianping Lu
- Journal
- Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry
- Year
- 2017
- DOI
- 10.1159/000485906
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Chronic Pancreatitis
- Body System
- Digestive System
TL;DR
Hydrogen treatment can significantly reduce the severity of chronic pancreatitis by protecting and increasing beneficial immune cells called Tregs.
Key Finding
Hydrogen treatment restored depleted regulatory T cells in mice with chronic pancreatitis and significantly reduced pancreatic inflammation, tissue damage, and scarring.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen gas could help treat chronic pancreatitis (a long-term inflammatory disease of the pancreas) in mice. They found that hydrogen treatment reduced pancreatic damage, inflammation, and scarring by restoring a type of immune cell called regulatory T cells that were depleted in the disease. When they removed these immune cells, hydrogen's protective effects disappeared, suggesting this cell type is crucial to how hydrogen works.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage mouse study showing hydrogen may help control chronic pancreatitis through immune system mechanisms. However, results in animals do not automatically translate to humans, and no human trials have been conducted. Much more research would be needed before hydrogen could be considered a treatment option for people with this condition.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background/aims: Chronic pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease of the pancreas characterized by progressive tissue destruction and fibrogenesis. The development of chronic pancreatitis is associated with immune cell dysregulation. Currently, the specific and effective treatment of chronic…