Hydrogen Gas Prevents Death from Sepsis in Mice by Fighting Inflammation
- Authors
- Ke-Liang Xie, Yonghao Yu, Yuping Pei, Lichao Hou, Shaoyang Chen, Lize Xiong, Guo-Lin Wang
- Journal
- Shock
- Year
- 2010
- DOI
- 10.1097/SHK.0b013e3181cdc4ae
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Sepsis
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
Breathing in molecular hydrogen (H2) gas can significantly improve survival and reduce organ damage in mice with sepsis.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas inhalation improved survival rates and significantly reduced multiple organ damage in septic mice, with benefits appearing to be dose- and time-dependent.
Summary
This study tested whether inhaling hydrogen gas could help mice with sepsis (a life-threatening infection response). Researchers found that mice given hydrogen gas had better survival rates and less damage to their lungs, liver, and other organs compared to untreated mice. The protective effect appeared to work by reducing harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species and lowering levels of a protein called HMGB1 that contributes to organ damage during sepsis.
Practical Takeaway
While this mouse study suggests hydrogen gas may have protective effects against sepsis-related organ damage, it is a preliminary animal study and does not establish safety or effectiveness in humans. Much more research, including human clinical trials, would be needed before hydrogen gas could be considered a viable sepsis treatment. Anyone with sepsis requires immediate medical care from healthcare professionals.
Abstract
Despite recent advances in antibiotic therapy and intensive care, sepsis is still considered to be the most common cause of death in intensive care units. Excessive production of reactive oxygen species plays an important role in the pathogenesis of sepsis. Recently, it has been suggested that molecular hydrogen (H2) exerts a therapeutic antioxidant activity by selectively reducing hydroxyl radicals (*OH, the most cytotoxic reactive oxygen species) and effectively protects against organ damage induced by I/R. Therefore, we hypothesized that H2 treatment had a beneficial effect on sepsis. In the present study, we found that H2 inhalation starting at 1 and 6 h after cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or sham operation significantly improved the survival rate of septic mice with moderate or severe CLP in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, moderate or severe CLP mice showed significant multiple organ damage characterized by the increases of lung myeloperoxidase activity, wet-to-dry weight ratio, protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage, serum biochemical parameters, and organ histopathologic scores at 24 h after CLP operation, which was significantly attenuated by 2% H2 treatment. In addition, we found that the beneficial effects of H2 treatment on sepsis and sepsis-associated organ damage were associated with the decreased levels of oxidative product, increased activities of antioxidant enzymes, and reduced levels of high-mobility group box 1 in serum and tissue. Thus, H2 inhalation may be an effective therapeutic strategy for patients with sepsis.