Hydrogen Water Protects Against Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats
Protective effects of hydrogen-rich saline on monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension in a rat model
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System · Respiratory System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- 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
- PMID
- 21375753
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 5 ml/kg hydrogen-rich saline intraperitoneally once daily for 2 or 3 weeks
- Duration
- 3 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 43 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
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 (excerpt)
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…