Hydrogen Saline Lavage in Acute Peritonitis in Rats
Peritoneal lavage with hydrogen-rich saline can be an effective and practical procedure for acute peritonitis
Research hubs: Digestive System · Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Haruki Sada, Hiroyuki Egi, Kentaro Ide, Hiroyuki Sawada, Yusuke Sumi, Minoru Hattori, Kazuhiro Sentani, Naohide Oue, Wataru Yasui, Hideki Ohdan
- Journal
- Surgery Today
- Year
- 2021
- PMID
- 33787966
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- peritoneal lavage with hydrogen-rich saline
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 9 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Washing the inside of the abdomen with hydrogen-rich saline could be a promising treatment to improve survival in severe abdominal infections by reducing organ damage and inflammation.
Key Finding
Peritoneal lavage with hydrogen-rich saline significantly improved survival in rats with acute peritonitis and reduced sepsis-induced organ failure by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death.
Summary
Researchers tested whether rinsing the abdominal cavity with salt water containing dissolved hydrogen gas could help treat acute peritonitis (a life-threatening abdominal infection). In rats with induced peritonitis, this hydrogen-rich saline treatment improved survival and reduced organ damage by decreasing harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, reducing inflammation, and preventing cell death. A follow-up test in pigs showed the procedure appeared safe and practical.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage research in animals suggests hydrogen-rich saline rinsing of the abdomen may help treat severe peritonitis, but human studies are needed before any clinical use. The findings are limited to animal models and do not yet indicate whether this approach would work or be safe in people with peritonitis.
Abstract (excerpt)
Purpose: Acute peritonitis has remained a fatal disease despite of recent advances in care and treatment, including antibiotic and anticoagulant treatments. The cause of death is mostly sepsis-induced multiple organ failure. Oxidative stress can play an important role in this situation, but…