Hydrogen Solution Protects Lungs During Transplant Surgery in Rats
- Authors
- Masao Saito, Toyofumi F. Chen-Yoshikawa, Mamoru Takahashi, Hidenao Kayawake, Yuhei Yokoyama, Ryosuke Kurokawa, Shin-Ichi Hirano, Hiroshi Date
- Journal
- The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jtcvs.2019.09.175
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Lung Transplant Recipients
- Body System
- Respiratory System
TL;DR
Using a solution rich in molecular hydrogen can protect rat lungs from damage caused by a lack of blood supply followed by restoration of blood flow during transplantation.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich preservation solution significantly improved lung function and reduced tissue damage in transplanted rat lungs by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-rich solution could protect rat lungs during transplantation. Researchers compared lungs preserved with regular solution to lungs preserved with hydrogen-rich solution (containing more than 1.0 ppm hydrogen) during a 6-hour cold storage period. Lungs treated with hydrogen-rich solution showed better oxygen levels, better breathing function, less swelling, and lower markers of tissue damage and inflammation compared to lungs stored without hydrogen.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing that hydrogen-rich solution may help protect organs during transplantation surgery. However, this research was conducted only in rats, and it's unclear whether these results would apply to humans or to hydrogen water consumed by mouth. Much more research would be needed before any clinical applications could be considered.
Abstract
Background: Molecular hydrogen can reduce the oxidative stress of ischemia-reperfusion injury in various organs for transplantation and potentially improve survival rates in recipients. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of a hydrogen-rich preservation solution against ischemia-reperfusion injury after cold ischemia in rat lung transplantation. Methods: Lewis rats were divided into a nontransplant group (n = 3), minimum-ischemia group (n = 3), cold ischemia group (n = 6), and cold ischemia with hydrogen-rich (more than 1.0 ppm) preservation solution group (n = 6). The rats in the nontransplant group underwent simple thoracotomy, and the rats in the remaining 3 groups underwent orthotopic left lung transplantation. The ischemic time was <30 minutes in the minimum-ischemia group and 6 hours in the cold ischemia groups. After 2-hour reperfusion, we evaluated arterial blood gas levels, pulmonary function, lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, and histologic features of the lung tissue. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays, and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results: When compared with the nontransplant and minimum-ischemia groups, the cold ischemia group had lower dynamic compliance, lower oxygenation levels, and higher wet-to-dry weight ratios. However, these variables were significantly improved in the cold ischemia with hydrogen-rich preservation solution group. This group also had fewer signs of perivascular edema, lower interleukin-1β messenger RNA expression, and lower 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels than the cold ischemia group. Conclusions: The use of a hydrogen-rich preservation solution attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat lungs during cold ischemia through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.