Hydrogen Therapy Protects Against Preeclampsia in Pregnancy Study
- Authors
- X. Yang, L. Guo, X. Sun, X. Chen, X. Tong
- Journal
- Placenta
- Year
- 2011
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.placenta.2011.06.020
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Preeclampsia
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline helps reduce the harmful effects of a preeclampsia-like condition in pregnant rats.
Key Finding
In pregnant rats with preeclampsia-like symptoms, hydrogen-rich saline treatment reduced markers of oxidative stress and inflammation, and decreased fetal loss compared to untreated preeclamptic rats.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich saline could protect against preeclampsia (a dangerous pregnancy condition involving high blood pressure) in rats. They gave pregnant rats a chemical that mimics preeclampsia, then treated some with hydrogen-rich saline injections. Compared to untreated preeclamptic rats, those receiving hydrogen-rich saline had fewer pregnancy losses, lower markers of cell damage and inflammation, and reduced protein in urine—a sign of kidney problems common in preeclampsia.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation associated with preeclampsia. However, this was conducted only in rats using injected hydrogen-rich saline—not the oral hydrogen water available to consumers—so it cannot yet inform human treatment decisions. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before any clinical recommendations could be made.
Abstract
Hydrogen has been reported as a novel antioxidant to selectively reduce levels of toxic reactive-oxygen species (ROS). We investigated the effects of hydrogen-rich saline on the prevention of oxidative injuries in N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced rat model of preeclampsia (PE). Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 50) were randomized into five groups: non-pregnant; normal pregnancy; pregnancy + hydrogen saline, 5 ml/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.); pregnancy + L-NAME, 60 mg/kg (i.p.); pregnancy + L-NAME + hydrogen saline rats. Terminations of pregnancy were performed on day 22 of gestation, when the placentas and kidneys were microscopically inspected; tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) were assessed; and the mean systolic BP, level of proteinuria, resorptions, and pups birth weights were recorded. It was found that the pups of hypertensive gravid rats treated with hydrogen-rich saline presented fewer number of resorptions than those of the group of pregnancy + L-NAME, 60 mg/kg i.p. (P < 0.05). Additionally, hydrogen-rich saline treatment decreased the blood and placental MDA, proteinuria and the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, IL-1β in the placental tissues compared with those in L-NAME-treated rats (all P < 0.05). The mean systolic BP showed no significant difference except on day 22 of gestation (P < 0.05). The preventive administration of hydrogen significantly attenuated the severity of PE, which might be ascribed to a reduction in inflammation response and oxidative stress. It could be concluded that hydrogen can be an effective antioxidant in the management of PE.