Hydrogen Injection Reduces Nerve Pain in Rats by Fighting Inflammation
Intrathecal Infusion of Hydrogen-Rich Normal Saline Attenuates Neuropathic Pain via Inhibition of Activation of Spinal Astrocytes and Microglia in Rats
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Yanhu Ge, Feixiang Wu, Xuejun Sun, Zhenghua Xiang, Liqun Yang, Shengdong Huang, Zhijie Lu, Yuming Sun, Wei-Feng Yu
- Journal
- PLoS One
- Year
- 2014
- PMID
- 24857932
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- intrathecal injection of hydrogen-rich normal saline
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 42 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Injecting a solution high in hydrogen into the spine reduces nerve pain in rats without losing effectiveness over time by decreasing inflammation and nerve damage.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline injected into the spinal fluid reduced neuropathic pain in rats and prevented pain development when given before nerve injury, without causing tolerance with repeated use.
Summary
Researchers injected hydrogen-rich saline directly into the spinal fluid of rats with nerve pain caused by spinal nerve injury. The treatment reduced pain sensitivity and prevented pain from developing in the first place. The pain relief appeared to work by reducing harmful molecules called free radicals and decreasing inflammation in the spinal cord, without the rats developing tolerance (becoming less responsive to repeated doses).
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen may help with nerve pain by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the spinal cord. However, this is early-stage animal research; human studies would be needed to determine if these findings apply to people, and the injection method used here is not comparable to drinking hydrogen water.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are key molecules that mediate neuropathic pain. Although hydrogen is an established antioxidant, its effect on chronic pain has not been characterized. This study was to investigate the efficacy and mechanisms of hydrogen-rich normal saline induced…