Protective Effects of Hydrogen Gas on Experimental Acute Pancreatitis

Bei Sun, Bing Han, Guang Jia, Hao-Xin Zhou, Li-Min Hou, Rui Rong, Shang-Ha Pan, Shuang-Jia Wang, Ting-Ting An, Xue-Jun Sun, Yi-Nan Zhou, Yong Ma, Yong-Wei Wang, Zhuo-Xin Cheng

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DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154483 DOI is the universal ID for this study.

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Abstract:

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease mediated by damage to acinar cells and pancreatic inflammation. In patients with AP, subsequent systemic inflammatory responses and multiple organs dysfunction commonly occur. Interactions between cytokines and oxidative stress greatly contribute to the amplification of uncontrolled inflammatory responses. Molecular hydrogen (H2) is a potent free radical scavenger that not only ameliorates oxidative stress but also lowers cytokine levels. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of H2 gas on AP both in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro assessment, AR42J cells were treated with cerulein and then incubated in H2-rich or normal medium for 24 h, and for the in vivo experiment, AP was induced through a retrograde infusion of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatobiliary duct (0.1 mL/100 g body weight). Wistar rats were treated with inhaled air or 2% H2 gas and sacrificed 12 h following the induction of pancreatitis. Specimens were collected and processed to measure the amylase and lipase activity levels; the myeloperoxidase activity and production levels; the cytokine mRNA expression levels; the 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, and glutathione levels; and the cell survival rate. Histological examinations and immunohistochemical analyses were then conducted. The results revealed significant reductions in inflammation and oxidative stress both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of H2 gas were associated with reductions in AR42J cell and pancreatic tissue damage. In conclusion, our results suggest that H2 gas is capable of ameliorating damage to the pancreas and AR42J cells and that H2 exerts protective effects both in vitro and in vivo on subjects with AP. Thus, the results obtained indicate that this gas may represent a novel therapy agent in the management of AP.

Publish Year 2016
Country China
Rank Positive
Journal PLoS One
Primary Topic Pancreas
Secondary TopicPancreatitis
Model Rat
Tertiary TopicInflammation
Vehicle Gas
pH N/A
Application Inhalation
Comparison
Complement