Hydrogen Saline Protects Lungs from Surgical Injury in Rats
Immersing lungs in hydrogen-rich saline attenuates lung ischaemia-reperfusion injury
Research hubs: Respiratory System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Mamoru Takahashi, Toyofumi F. Chen-Yoshikawa, Masao Saito, Satona Tanaka, Ei Miyamoto, Keiji Ohata, Takeshi Kondo, Hideki Motoyama, Kyoko hijiya, Akihiro Aoyama, Hiroshi Date
- Journal
- European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 28364439
- Study Type
- Rat
- Participants
- 18
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- Immersion of left thoracic cavity in hydrogen-rich saline for 1 hour during ischaemic period
- H₂ concentration
- 6.9 ± 2.9 μmol/1 g lung
- Duration
- 1 day or less
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 19 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Soaking lungs in a solution with high levels of hydrogen can help reduce lung damage after a temporary loss and restoration of blood flow.
Key Finding
Immersing lungs in hydrogen-rich saline improved lung function and oxygen levels while reducing inflammatory markers in rats with ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Summary
Researchers studied whether hydrogen-rich salt water could protect rat lungs from damage caused by temporarily cutting off blood flow and then restoring it (a condition called ischemia-reperfusion injury). They filled the chest cavity with either regular salt water or hydrogen-rich salt water during the blood flow blockage. Lungs treated with hydrogen-rich salt water showed better function, better oxygen levels, and lower levels of inflammatory chemicals compared to those treated with regular salt water.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help protect lungs from damage during surgical procedures or transplantation. However, this is early-stage animal research; human studies would be needed to determine if hydrogen water or hydrogen-rich solutions could provide similar benefits in people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Objectives: Anti-oxidant effects of hydrogen have been reported in studies examining ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of immersing lungs in hydrogen-rich saline on lung IRI. Methods: Lewis rats were divided into three groups: (i) sham, (ii)…