Hydrogen Gas Protects Kidneys from Calcium Oxalate Damage in Mice
- Authors
- Hongtao Lu, Jiarong Ding, Wenrui Liu, Zhongjiang Peng, Wei Chen, Xuejun Sun, Zhiyong Guo
- Journal
- Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin
- Year
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.1248/bpb.b18-00307
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Kidney Stones
- Body System
- Urinary System
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas can help repair the damage to kidneys caused by calcium oxalate, a common component of kidney stones, by affecting various body chemicals related to amino acids, fats, and other molecules.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas inhalation restored 19 blood metabolites and 7 urine metabolites to normal levels in mice with calcium oxalate-induced kidney injury, primarily affecting amino acid, fatty acid, and phospholipid metabolism.
Summary
Researchers gave mice hydrogen gas to see if it could protect their kidneys from damage caused by calcium oxalate (a compound that can form kidney stones). They measured changes in chemical compounds in the mice's blood and urine using advanced laboratory techniques. Hydrogen gas treatment restored normal levels of many of these compounds, particularly those involved in how the body processes amino acids (building blocks of proteins), fats, and cell membranes.
Practical Takeaway
This mouse study suggests hydrogen gas may protect kidneys from calcium oxalate damage by restoring normal metabolic processes, but these findings cannot yet be applied to humans. Further research in human subjects would be needed to determine whether hydrogen water or inhalation offers similar protective effects in people with kidney concerns.
Abstract (excerpt)
Hydrogen has a significant protective effect on calcium oxalate-induced renal injury, but its effect on metabolic profiles is unknown. This study showed the effects of hydrogen on serum and urine metabolites in a renal injury model. Ultra-HPLC quadrupole time-of-flight-MS-based metabolomics was…