Hydrogen Therapy Protects Against Surgical Injury in Penile Procedures
- Authors
- Merve Altin Gulburun, Ramazan Karabulut, Zafer Turkyilmaz, Sibel Eryilmaz, Cem Kaya, Burak Arslan, Ozlem Gulbahar, Aylar Poyraz, Kaan Sonmez
- Journal
- Journal of Pediatric Urology
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jpurol.2021.01.046
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Turkey
- Health Condition
- Hypospadias
- Body System
- Reproductive
TL;DR
Injecting rats with hydrogen-rich saline solution (HRSS) before or after applying a penile tourniquet reduced tissue damage and inflammation caused by the tourniquet.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline solution significantly reduced tissue damage markers and inflammation in rat penile tissue after tourniquet-induced injury, with protective effects observed whether the solution was administered before or after blood flow was restored.
Summary
This rat study examined whether hydrogen-rich saline solution could protect penile tissue from damage caused by tourniquets (tight bands used to stop blood flow during surgery). When a tourniquet is released and blood flow returns, it can cause tissue damage through chemical reactions. The researchers found that hydrogen-rich saline reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules) in the penile tissue, and improved the appearance of tissue under a microscope, whether the solution was given before or after tourniquet release.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study that suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help protect tissue from reperfusion injury in surgical settings. However, this research was conducted only in rats and focused on a specific surgical procedure; much more research, including human studies, would be needed before any clinical applications could be considered.
Abstract
Introduction: Penile tourniquet (Pt) application aims to work in a bloodless field in penile surgery. When the tourniquet is released, reperfusion injury occurs with the resumption of blood flow. Molecular hydrogen can easily attach to biomembranes and enter cytosol, mitochondria and other organelles of the cell and convert the formed OH- to H₂O to prevent cell and tissue damage. Aim: We investigated the effects of hydrogen rich saline solution (HRSS) on penile Mathieu type flap tissue with Pt application in rats. Study design: Thirty-six Wistar-albino male rats were randomly divided into six groups. No operations were performed in the Sham group. Ventral penile Mathieu type flap was prepared and Pt was applied to the root of the penis with a plastic band in other groups. Pt was applied 10 and 30 min in the PT1⁰ and PT³⁰ groups. HRSS was injected intraperitoneally (ip) 5 ml/kg just before Pt was released in the HRSS1⁰ and HRSS³⁰ groups. In the HRSSB group, HRSS was injected 1 h before 10 min of Pt application. At the 4th hour of experiments the rats were sacrificed and tissue samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological studies. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), myeloperoxidase (MPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined in the penile tissue. The results were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Pearson's Chi-Squared test. Results: Tissue MDA, MPO, IL-6 and TNF-α values were significantly lower in all HRSS groups compared to PT1⁰ and PT³⁰ groups. Tissue GSH levels of HRSS groups were higher compared to PT groups. Histopathologically, inflammation was found to be higher in PT groups compared to HRSS groups. Interestingly, in the HRSSB group with HRSS administration prior to Pt, the damage was less in grade, but not statistically different than the other HRSS groups (p > 0.05). Discussion: In previous studies, damage in histopathological examinations after Pt could only be demonstrated long after tourniquet applications such as 24 h and with longer duration of Pt such as 30 min. Structural changes in different Pt application times could be demonstrated at 60 min by electron microscopy and 48 h by light microscopy. In this study, the histopathological effect of Pt application could be demonstrated at the 4th hour after release and HRSS was observed to reduce the damage histopathologically as well as biochemically with its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It was observed that administration of HRSS either before or following Pt did not cause an alteration statistically.