Hydrogen Therapy Shows Promise for Pregnancy Complication Prevention
- Authors
- Y.F. Zou, W.W. Cheng
- Journal
- Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University
- Year
- 2014
- DOI
- 10.3969/j.issn.1674-8115.2014.07.007
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Preeclampsia
- Body System
- Reproductive
TL;DR
Hydrogen treatment can protect cells in a lab model of preeclampsia by reducing harmful oxidative stress.
Key Finding
In a cell culture model of placental damage from preeclampsia, hydrogen treatment increased cell survival and reduced oxidative stress markers (ROS and MDA) while increasing protective enzyme activity (SOD), with effects comparable to vitamin C treatment.
Summary
Researchers studied whether hydrogen could protect placental cells from damage caused by oxygen deprivation and then re-oxygenation, a condition that occurs in preeclampsia (a serious pregnancy complication). Using lab-grown placental cells, they found that hydrogen treatment increased cell survival, reduced harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and boosted the activity of a protective enzyme called superoxide dismutase (SOD).
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage laboratory study in cultured cells only, not in humans or animals. While the results suggest hydrogen may have antioxidant properties relevant to placental injury, much more research—including animal studies and human trials—would be needed before any conclusions about hydrogen's usefulness for preeclampsia could be drawn. The findings are preliminary and should not inform clinical decisions.
Abstract
Objective To investigate the effects of hydrogen on cell protection of placental ischemia-reperfusion cell model of preeclampsia and its possible mechanism. Methods JAR cells cultured in vitro were divided into five groups, i.e. the blank control group, saturated hydrogen group under normal oxygen cultivation conditions (normal oxygen+H2 group), ischemia-reperfusion model group (model group), ischemia-reperfusion group with saturated hydrogen intervention (model+H2 group), and ischemia-reperfusion positive control group with vitamin C intervention (model+VC group). Cells of the model group, model+H2 group, and model+VC group were cultured with sugar and serum free medium in hypoxia (5%CO2 and 95%N2) environment for 2 h, and then they were cultured with high sugar and 10% serum medium in the environment of 95% air and 5% CO2. The ischemia-reperfusion cell model was established. The hydrogen intervention and vitamin C intervention were performed during the hypoxia period and reoxygenation period, respectively. After cells were cultured in the complete medium for 24 h, the cell survival rate was detected by the MTT method; the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by the chemical olorimetry; and the expression of SOD mRNA was detected by the Real-Time PCR. After cells were cultured in the complete medium for 1 h, the intracellular ROS level was measured by the DCHF-DA fluorescence. Results Compared to the model group, the cell survival rate of the model+H2 group increased (P<0.05); the ROS generation (P<0.01) and MDA content (P<0.05) decreased significantly; and the SOD activity (P<0.01) and the expression level of SOD mRNA (P<0.05) increased. Conclusion Hydrogen has the protective effect on the placental ischemia-reperfusion cell model of preeclampsia. The mechanism may be the reduction of cell oxidative stress level by up-regulating the transcription of SOD-mRNA, increasing the activity of SOD, and decreasing the level of intracellular reactive oxygen.