Hydrogen Water Protects Newborn Rats from Deadly Intestinal Disease
- Authors
- Qingfeng Sheng, Zhibao Lv, Wei Cai, Huanlei Song, Linxi Qian, Xueli Wang
- Journal
- Journal of Pediatric Surgery
- Year
- 2013
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2012.11.038
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Necrotizing Enterocolitis
- Body System
- Digestive System
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) was found to protect newborn rats from a severe gut disease by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline reduced NEC incidence from 85% to 54.5% and improved survival rates from 25% to 68.2% in newborn rats exposed to conditions that trigger the disease.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich saline (a saltwater solution containing dissolved hydrogen) could protect newborn rats from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal disease that affects premature infants. Rats given hydrogen-rich saline before stress had lower rates of NEC, better survival, and showed reduced inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules) compared to rats given regular saline.
Practical Takeaway
This animal study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help prevent necrotizing enterocolitis by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the intestines. However, this research was conducted only in rats, and much more work—including human clinical trials—would be needed before any conclusions could apply to premature infants. The findings are early-stage and should not be interpreted as evidence that hydrogen water or hydrogen-rich saline is an effective treatment for NEC in humans.
Abstract
Purpose: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) might have protective effects on the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in a neonatal rat model. Methods: NEC was induced in male newborn Sprague–Dawley rats by formula feeding, exposure to asphyxia and cold stress. Sixty-four rat pups were divided randomly into four groups: C + NS (n = 11), C + H2 (n = 11), NEC + NS (n = 20), and NEC + H2 (n = 22). Rats in the former two groups were mother-fed. Pups received intra-peritoneal injection of HRS (10 ml/kg, 10 min before asphyxia stress twice a day) or the same dose of normal saline. Rats were monitored until 96 h after birth. Body weight, histological NEC score, survival time, malondialdehyde, antioxidant capacity, inflammatory mediators, and mucosal integrity were assessed. Results: HRS treatment maintained the body weight, reduced the incidence of NEC from 85% (17/20) to 54.5% (12/22), increased the survival rate from 25% (5/20) to 68.2% (15/22), and attenuated the severity of NEC. In addition, HRS inhibited the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory mediators (inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6), down-regulated lipid peroxidation, enhanced total antioxidant capacity, and prevented the increase of diamine oxidase in serum. However, no significant influence of HRS on the interleukin-10 mRNA expression was observed. Conclusions: HRS showed beneficial effects on neonatal rats with NEC via decreasing oxidative stress, increasing antioxidant capacity, suppressing inflammation, and preserving mucosal integrity.