Hydrogen Saline Reduced Bowel Problems After Surgery in Rats
Intraperitoneally administered, hydrogen-rich physiologic solution protects against postoperative ileus and is associated with reduced nitric oxide production
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Ayana Okamoto, Keisuke Kohama, Michiko Aoyama-Ishikawa, Hayato Yamashita, Noritomo Fujisaki, Taihei Yamada, Tetsuya Yumoto, Nobuyuki Nosaka, Hiromichi Naito, Kohei Tsukahara, Atsuyoshi Iida, Keiji Sato, Joji Kotani, Atsunori Nakao
- Journal
- Surgery
- Year
- 2016
- PMID
- 27425040
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 1.0 mL intraperitoneal hydrogen-rich saline, single dose before abdominal closure
- H₂ concentration
- 1.5-2.0 ppm
- Duration
- 1 day or less
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 21 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Injecting a solution with high levels of hydrogen into the abdomen reduces inflammation and improves bowel movement after surgery.
Key Finding
Intraperitoneal hydrogen-rich saline significantly improved bowel movement after surgical manipulation in rodents and reduced markers of intestinal inflammation.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich salt water could help prevent postoperative ileus—a temporary loss of normal bowel movement that commonly occurs after abdominal surgery. In mice and rats, they injected hydrogen-rich saline into the abdominal cavity before closing the surgical incision. The treatment reduced intestinal inflammation, decreased immune cell infiltration, and improved bowel movement compared to regular salt water. The hydrogen appeared to work by reducing nitric oxide, a molecule involved in the inflammatory response.
Practical Takeaway
This early animal study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help prevent postoperative ileus, but these results are from rodent models only and have not been tested in humans. The delivery method used here (injected directly into the abdomen during surgery) differs from oral hydrogen water, so it's unclear whether drinking hydrogen water would produce similar effects. Further human research would be needed to determine if this approach has practical value for surgical patients.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Postoperative ileus, a transient impairment of bowel motility initiated by intestinal inflammation, is common after an abdominal operation and leads to increased hospital stays and costs. Hydrogen has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and potential therapeutic value…