Hydrogen Therapy Protects Kidneys from Chemical Damage in Mice
- Authors
- Song Wu, Zheng Fang, Shujun Zhou
- Journal
- Journal of International Medical Research
- Year
- 2020
- DOI
- 10.1177/0300060519895353
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Acute Kidney Injury
- Body System
- Renal
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas can help protect mice's kidneys from damage caused by a harmful chemical.
Key Finding
In mice with chemically-induced kidney injury, treatment with hydrogen-saturated water reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory markers while improving measures of kidney function.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-saturated water could protect mouse kidneys from damage caused by a toxic chemical (CCl4). Mice treated with hydrogen-saturated water showed better kidney function, less cellular damage from oxidative stress (harmful chemical reactions), and reduced inflammation compared to untreated mice with kidney injury.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen water may have protective effects against certain types of kidney damage, but it was conducted only in mice and did not test human subjects. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before any health claims could be made about hydrogen water's effects on kidney health.
Abstract
Objectives: This study assessed the protective effects of saturated hydrogen against CCl4-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice, and investigated signaling pathways activated by exposure to saturated hydrogen. Methods: A mouse model of CCl4-induced AKI was established; some mice were treated with saturated hydrogen. Levels of cystatin C and kidney injury molecule 1 were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were measured on a fully automated biochemical analyzer. Interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ in serum and kidney tissues were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase in kidney tissues were measured using biochemical kits. Oxidative stress in kidney tissues was analyzed using nitrotyrosine staining. Expression levels of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, and p-p65 signal protein were assayed by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Results: Compared with untreated mice with CCl4-induced AKI, mice that were treated with saturated hydrogen exhibited improved renal function and reduced oxidative stress. Moreover, expression levels of p-JAK2, p-STAT3, and p-p65 were significantly reduced in mice treated with saturated hydrogen, compared with expression levels in untreated mice. Conclusions: Treatment with saturated hydrogen can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine activation, potentially through inhibition of JAK2/STAT3/p65 signaling, thereby protecting against AKI.