Hydrogen Solution Helps Heal Intestines After Surgery Complications
- Authors
- Sibel Eryilmaz, Zafer Turkyilmaz, Ramazan Karabulut, Merve Altin Gulburun, Aylar Poyraz, Ozlem Gulbahar, Burak Arslan, Kaan Sonmez
- Journal
- Journal of Pediatric Surgery
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2019.07.018
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Turkey
- Health Condition
- Intestinal Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
- Body System
- Gastrointestinal
TL;DR
Hydrogen-rich saline solution (HRSS) helps reduce damage and improve healing in rat intestines after blood flow is temporarily cut off and restored.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-rich saline solution reduced intestinal tissue damage and cell death while improving the strength of surgical intestinal connections in rats recovering from ischemia reperfusion injury.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich saline solution could protect the intestines in rats that experienced a temporary loss of blood flow (ischemia reperfusion injury) followed by surgical connection of the intestine (anastomosis). Rats given hydrogen-rich saline showed less tissue damage, lower cell death, and stronger surgical connections compared to untreated rats, though some chemical markers did not differ significantly between groups.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen-rich saline may help protect intestinal tissue after blood flow loss and surgery, but the findings are preliminary and have not been tested in humans. More research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn about potential benefits for surgical patients.
Abstract
Aim We investigated the effects of hydrogen-rich saline solution (HRSS) on intestinal anastomosis performed after intestinal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI). Materials and methods Thirty Wistar albino female rats were randomly divided into five groups. Only laparotomy was performed in the Sham group. In the other four groups, an intestinal IRI was performed for 45 min by clamping the superior mesenteric artery. After intestinal IRI, anastomosis was performed by cutting the intestine from the proximal 15 cm of the ileocecal valve at the first and 24th hours. HRSS was given intraperitoneally 5 ml/kg before reperfusion and for four more days in the HRSS¹ and HRSS²⁴groups, while no treatment was given to the I/R¹ and I/R²⁴ groups. After 5 days, all groups underwent relaparotomy. The anastomotic bursting pressures were measured in all groups, except the Sham group. The tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured in the tissues taken from the anastomosis line. The tissue sections were evaluated histopathologically and the apoptosis index was determined by applying the TUNEL method. The results were analyzed one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson's chi-squared test. Results Although the MPO, MDA, IL-6 and TNF-α tissue values were not statistically significant among the groups, the degree of tissue damage and apoptosis levels were lower and the anastomotic bursting pressures values were higher in the HRSS¹ and HRSS²⁴ groups compared to the I/R¹ and I/R²⁴ groups. Conclusion HRSS is effective in reducing the intestinal damage caused by an IRI: HRSS has the potential to reduce the detrimental effects of intestinal anastomosis performed after an intestinal IRI.