Hydrogen Water Protects Against Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats
- Authors
- Yun Wang, Lei Jing, Xiao-Min Zhao, Ji-Ju Han, Zuo-Li Xia, Shu-Cun Qin, Ya-Ping Wu, Xue-Jun Sun
- Journal
- Respiratory Research
- Year
- 2011
- DOI
- 10.1186/1465-9921-12-26
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen-rich saline can help prevent and treat high blood pressure in the lungs of rats.
Key Finding
In rats with induced pulmonary hypertension, hydrogen-rich saline treatment improved heart function and reversed thickening of the right heart chamber while reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory markers.
Summary
Researchers gave rats a substance that causes lung high blood pressure, then treated some rats with hydrogen-rich saline (salt water containing dissolved hydrogen) injected into their abdomen. Compared to untreated rats, the hydrogen-rich saline improved heart function, reduced markers of cellular damage and inflammation in the lungs, and strengthened the body's natural antioxidant defenses (systems that protect cells from damage).
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing hydrogen-rich saline may help protect against lung high blood pressure through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, results in rats do not automatically translate to humans, and much more research—including human trials—would be needed before any health recommendations could be made.
Abstract
Abstract Background Hydrogen-rich saline has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and effectively protect against organ damage. Oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to the pathogenesis and/or development of pulmonary hypertension. In this study, we investigated the effects of hydrogen-rich saline on the prevention of pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline in a rat model. Methods In male Sprague-Dawley rats, pulmonary hypertension was induced by subcutaneous administration of monocrotaline at a concentration of 6 mg/100 g body weight. Hydrogen-rich saline (5 ml/kg) or saline was administred intraperitoneally once daily for 2 or 3 weeks. Severity of pulmonary hypertension was assessed by hemodynamic index and histologic analysis. Malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-desoxyguanosine level, and superoxide dismutase activity were measured in the lung tissue and serum. Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6) in serum were determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Hydrogen-rich saline treatment improved hemodynamics and reversed right ventricular hypertrophy. It also decreased malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-desoxyguanosine levels, and increased superoxide dismutase activity in the lung tissue and serum, accompanied by a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions These results suggest that hydrogen-rich saline ameliorates the progression of pulmonary hypertension induced by monocrotaline in rats, which may be associated with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.