Hydrogen-Rich Saline Protected Blood Vessels in Shock in Rats
Protective Effects of Hydrogen-Rich Saline Against Hemorrhagic Shock in Rats via an Endothelial Glycocalyx Pathway
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Aya Kimura, Koichi Suehiro, Tokuhiro Yamada, Yasuda Shinta, Takashi Juri, Yohei Fujimoto, Shinichi Hirano, Takashi Mori
- Journal
- Biomedicines
- Year
- 2025
- PMID
- 40299405
- Study Type
- Rat
- Participants
- 30
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- intravenous administration to maintain blood pressure at 80 mmHg for 60 min
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 1 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen or injecting hydrogen-rich saline helps protect the body's blood vessel lining and improves survival after severe blood loss.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline significantly improved survival rates in rats with hemorrhagic shock and suppressed the breakdown of the endothelial glycocalyx (a protective layer in blood vessels) compared to conventional fluid resuscitation.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen-rich saline (salt water containing dissolved hydrogen) could protect rats from severe bleeding. Researchers induced hemorrhagic shock in rats and then gave them different fluids to restore blood pressure. Hydrogen-rich saline was more effective than standard salt water or colloid solutions at preserving the endothelial glycocalyx—a protective gel-like layer inside blood vessels—and improved survival rates.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen-rich saline may help protect blood vessels during severe bleeding by preserving a critical protective layer. However, this was tested only in rats under controlled laboratory conditions, and human studies would be needed to determine if these effects translate to people with hemorrhagic shock.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background/Objective: The endothelial glycocalyx is a gel-like layer on the vascular endothelial surface that is crucial for maintaining vascular homeostasis. Massive bleeding leads to the shedding of the glycocalyx, which can lead to vascular leakage during fluid administration. Recently…