Hydrogen-Rich Saline Reduced Decompression Sickness in Rats
Protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline on decompression sickness in rats
Research hubs: Respiratory System · 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
- Xiao-Xiao Ni, Zhi-Yu Cai, Dan-Feng Fan, Yun Liu, Rong-Jia Zhang, Shu-Lin Liu, Zhi-Min Kang, Kan Liu, Run-Ping Li, Xue-Jun Sun, Wei-Gang Xu
- Journal
- Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine
- Year
- 2011
- PMID
- 21702310
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 10 ml/kg intraperitoneally at 24 h, 12 h, immediately before compression, and right after fast decompression
- H₂ concentration
- 0.86 mmol/L
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 22 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
A special saline solution rich in hydrogen gas can reduce the symptoms of decompression sickness (the bends) in rats.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced decompression sickness incidence in rats from 67.57% to 35.14% and significantly decreased oxidative stress markers in lung and spinal cord tissue.
Summary
Researchers gave rats hydrogen-rich saline (salt water containing dissolved hydrogen molecules) before and after simulating decompression sickness—a condition that can occur when divers surface too quickly. The treatment reduced the rate of decompression sickness from about 68% to 35% and lowered markers of cellular damage (oxidative stress) in the lungs and spinal cord. The researchers believe hydrogen worked by reducing harmful chemical reactions in the body.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage animal research showing hydrogen may help protect against decompression sickness by reducing oxidative damage. However, this was only tested in rats, not humans, so it's unclear whether these results would apply to people or what dose would be needed. Much more research would be required before hydrogen-rich saline could be considered a treatment for diving-related injuries.
Abstract (excerpt)
Introduction: Hydrogen (H2) has been reported to be effective in the treatment of oxidative injury, which plays an important role in the process of decompression sickness (DCS). This study was designed to test whether H2-rich saline (saline saturated with molecular hydrogen) protected rats against…