Hydrogen Therapy Protects Ovaries from Damage in Animal Study
- Authors
- Nurcan Gokalp, Abdullah Can Basaklar, Kaan Sonmez, Zafer Turkyilmaz, Ramazan Karabulut, Aylar Poyraz, Ozlem Gulbahar
- Journal
- Journal of Pediatric Surgery
- Year
- 2016
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2016.10.006
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Turkey
- Health Condition
- Ovarian Torsion
- Body System
- Reproductive System
TL;DR
A saline solution rich in hydrogen may help reduce damage to the ovaries caused by temporary loss and restoration of blood flow in rats.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline solution reduced tissue damage and oxidative stress markers in rat ovaries after blood flow was restored following a period without blood supply.
Summary
Researchers tested hydrogen-rich salt water on rats whose ovaries had their blood supply cut off and then restored—a condition that normally causes tissue damage. Rats given the hydrogen-rich solution showed less tissue damage, lower levels of harmful molecules called MDA, and higher levels of protective antioxidant enzymes compared to rats that didn't receive it.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing hydrogen-rich saline may help protect ovarian tissue from ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats. However, these results cannot yet be applied to humans—much more research, including human trials, would be needed to determine if this approach has any clinical benefit for ovarian torsion or other conditions.
Abstract
Background: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of hydrogen rich saline solution (HRSS) in a rat model of ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury. Methods: Thirty-six female Wistar-albino rats were grouped randomly, into six groups of six rats. The groups were classified as: sham (S), hydrogen (H), torsion (T), torsion/detorsion (TD), hydrogen-torsion (HT), and hydrogen-torsion/detorsion (HTD). Bilateral adnexal torsion was performed for 3h in all torsion groups. HRSS was given 5ml/kg in hydrogen groups intraperitoneally. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) levels were measured in both the plasma and tissue samples. Tissue sections were evaluated histopathologically, and the apoptotic index was detected by TUNEL assay. The results were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson chi-square tests using computer software, SPSS Version 20.0 for Windows. Results: The MDA levels were higher and GST levels were lower in the torsion and detorsion groups when compared to other groups, but the differences were insignificant (P>0.05). The MDA levels were lower and GST levels were higher in the HT and HTD groups compared with the T and TD groups (P>0.05). Follicular injury, edema, vascular congestion, loss of cohesion and apoptotic index were higher in the torsion groups but decreased in the groups that received HRSS. Conclusions: According to histopathological and biochemical examinations, HRSS is effective in attenuating ischemia-reperfusion induced ovary injury.