Hydrogen Protects Liver Bile Duct Cells from Surgical Damage
Molecular hydrogen attenuates hypoxia/reoxygenation injury of intrahepatic cholangiocytes by activating Nrf2 expression
Research hubs: Digestive System
This research was done on cells or tissue in a lab, not in people or animals.
- Evidence type
- Laboratory study (cells or tissue)
- Authors
- Jianhua Yu, Weiguang Zhang, Rongguo Zhang, Guixing Jiang, Haijun Tang, Xinxian Ruan, Peitu Ren, Baochun Lu
- Journal
- Toxicology Letters
- Year
- 2015
- PMID
- 26276082
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Delivery
- Medium (Dissolved)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 21 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Molecular hydrogen (H2) can protect liver cells from damage caused by oxygen deprivation and subsequent reoxygenation by activating a protective protein.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen protected liver cholangiocytes from oxygen-deprivation injury by activating the Nrf2 antioxidant defense pathway, and this protection was lost when Nrf2 was disabled.
Summary
Researchers tested whether molecular hydrogen (H2) could protect liver cells called cholangiocytes from damage caused by temporary loss of oxygen followed by oxygen restoration—a type of injury that can occur during liver surgery. Using human liver cells in the lab and rat models, they found that hydrogen reduced cell death and activated a protective protein pathway (Nrf2) that helps cells defend against oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules).
Practical Takeaway
This early laboratory and animal research suggests hydrogen water may have potential to protect liver cells during surgical stress, but the findings are limited to cell cultures and rat models. Human studies would be needed to determine whether hydrogen water could provide similar benefits in actual surgical patients or whether it could be used preventively.
Abstract (excerpt)
Hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury of cholangiocytes causes serious biliary complications during hepatobiliary surgeries. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been shown to be effective in protecting various cells and organs against oxidative stress injury. Human liver cholangiocytes were used to determine…