Effect of hydrogen‑enriched water on healing of excisional full‑layer skin wounds in diabetic and non‑diabetic rats

Abstract

This study was carried out in an experimental study design with experimental and control groups to investigate the effect of hydrogen-enriched water (HRW) on healing in excisional full-layer skin wounds. The rats were divided into diabetic group (n = 20) and non-diabetic group (n = 18) (n = 38). Diabetic group was divided into three groups as diabetic wound (DC), diabetic wound saline (DS), and diabetic wound hydrogen-enriched water (DH2); and control group was divided into three groups as non-diabetic wound (non-DC), non-diabetic wound saline (non-DS), and non-diabetic wound hydrogen-enriched water (non-DH2). Streptozotocin (STZ) was given to induce diabetes in rats in the diabetic group. An average of 1.9 cm2 full-layer excision wound was created in the rats made diabetic and non-diabetic. In both groups, the wounds were dressed regularly with HRW and saline once a day for 14 days. The wound area was measured on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th day after wound creation in rats; and tissue and blood samples were taken from the wounded areas on the 3rd, 7th, and 14th day. Biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical measurements were made from the samples taken. In the HRW dressing groups (DH2 and non-DH2), the wound closure rate increased numerically compared to the other groups, and wound healing occurred earlier than the other groups (p < 0.05). When TNF-α value is compared with DC and DH2, there is a significant decrease in DH2 (p < 0.05). IL-6 value is significantly lower in the non-DH2 group (p < 0.05). When IL-8 values were evaluated within the groups, they decreased numerically in the DH2 and non-DH2 groups (p > 0.05). When the neutrophil and fibroblast cell density was compared on the 3rd and 14th day of the DH2 group, a significant difference was determined on the 14th day (p < 0.05). When the vascular structure density is compared between the 3rd and 14th days of the non-DH2 group, there is a significant difference on the 14th day (p < 0.05). When looking at epithelialization, a statistically significant difference was found between the 3rd and 7th, and the 3rd and 14th days of the non-DH2 group (p < 0.05). According to this study, wound healing was observed to be accelerated in diabetic and non-diabetic rats dressed with HRW. It is recommended that this preclinical study be planned by nurses in a clinical setting to evaluate the effect of this study on the wound healing process in diabetic patients and different wound types.

Study details

Article type

Original Research

Disease / injury model

Streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats with excisional full-layer skin wounds

Duration

14 days

Dose comparison

Only one concentration of hydrogen-enriched water (1 mg/L) was used for all treated rats; no dose/concentration comparison was performed.

Dose-dependent effect

No

Outcome

Positive

Findings

Hydrogen-enriched water (HRW) significantly accelerated wound healing in both diabetic and non-diabetic rats, as evidenced by increased wound closure rates, earlier healing, and reductions in proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6). HRW also influenced histopathological parameters such as neutrophil and fibroblast density, vascular structure density, and epithelialization, supporting its beneficial effect on wound repair.