Hydrogen Water Protects Newborn Rats from Deadly Intestinal Disease
Protective effects of hydrogen-rich saline on necrotizing enterocolitis in neonatal rats
Research hubs: Digestive System · Immune System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Qingfeng Sheng, Zhibao Lv, Wei Cai, Huanlei Song, Linxi Qian, Xueli Wang
- Journal
- Journal of Pediatric Surgery
- Year
- 2013
- PMID
- 23932609
- Study Type
- Rat
- Participants
- 64
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 10 ml/kg hydrogen-rich saline, intra-peritoneal injection, 10 min before asphyxia stress twice a day
- Duration
- 4 days
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 23 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
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 (excerpt)
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…