New Nanoparticles Deliver Hydrogen to Protect Brain After Stroke
- Authors
- Chang-Sheng Ma, Bo Han, Jia-Ru Guo, Jin-Fen Guo, Chang-Ku Shi, Yu-Xi Liu, Wen-Jing Yi, Li-Ying Zhang, Ai-Jun Deng, Ying-Shuai Wang, Mao-Tao He
- Journal
- Journal of Translational Medicine
- Year
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12967-026-07755-5
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Intracerebral Hemorrhage
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Orally administered magnesium silicate nanosheets provided sustained hydrogen release and reduced secondary brain injury after intracerebral hemorrhage in mice.
Key Finding
Magnesium silicate nanoparticles that slowly release hydrogen gas reduced secondary brain injury (damage that occurs after the initial bleeding) in mice with intracerebral hemorrhage more effectively than conventional hydrogen gas inhalation.
Summary
Researchers tested a new nanoparticle material (made from magnesium silicate) designed to release hydrogen gas slowly in the brain to treat intracerebral hemorrhage, a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain. In mice with this type of stroke, the nanoparticles reduced brain swelling, preserved brain cells, and decreased harmful inflammation and cell death better than standard hydrogen gas inhalation.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research in mice only, so it cannot yet be applied to humans. The study suggests that a sustained-release hydrogen delivery method may be more effective than inhaled hydrogen for brain injury, but human clinical trials would be needed to determine if this approach is safe and effective for stroke patients.
Abstract
Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating stroke subtype with high mortality and disability, primarily driven by secondary brain injury involving oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. Molecular hydrogen (Hâ‚‚) exhibits potent neuroprotective effects; however, its clinical translation is limited by poor bioavailability and the lack of sustained delivery strategies. Methods: pH-responsive magnesium silicate nanosheets (MGNs) were synthesized and characterized for morphology, composition, and hydrogen-release behavior. A collagenase-induced ICH mouse model was used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of orally administered MGNs. Neurological outcomes, brain edema, histopathology, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses were assessed using behavioral tests, staining, Western blotting, and ELISA. Therapeutic performance was compared with conventional 3% hydrogen inhalation, and biosafety was systematically evaluated. Results: MGNs exhibited a two-dimensional structure and enabled sustained hydrogen release, particularly under acidic conditions. MGNs treatment significantly improved neurological function, reduced brain edema and hematoma volume, preserved neuronal integrity, and attenuated secondary brain injury in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistically, MGNs suppressed neuronal apoptosis and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. MGNs demonstrated superior neuroprotection compared with hydrogen inhalation and showed favorable biosafety profiles. Conclusions: MGNs represent a safe and effective hydrogen-releasing nanoplatform that alleviates secondary brain injury after ICH, highlighting their potential for translational neuroprotective therapy.