Hydrogen-rich saline may be an effective and specific novel treatment for osteoradionecrosis of the jaw

Abstract

Hydrogen, a therapeutic medical gas, can exert antioxidant activity via selectively reducing cytotoxic reactive oxygen species such as hydroxyl radicals. Hydrogen-rich saline is an alternative form of molecular hydrogen that has been widely used in many studies, including metabolic syndrome, cerebral, hepatic, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, and liver injuries with obstructive jaundice, with beneficial results. Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw is a serious complication following radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. It has long been known that most radiation-induced symptoms are caused by free radicals generated by radiolysis of H2O, and the hydroxyl radical is the most reactive of these. Reducing the hydroxyl radical can distinctly improve the protection of cells from radiation damage. We hypothesized that hydrogen-rich saline might be an effective and specific method of managing and preventing osteoradionecrosis of the jaw.

Study details

Article type

Hypothesis

Disease / injury model

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ)

Dose comparison

The article discusses that hydrogen-rich saline can be effective at doses such as 900 mg/day orally for 8 weeks in patients, and 5 mL/kg in animal studies, but notes that optimal dosing and concentration require further research.

Dose-dependent effect

Yes

Outcome

Positive

Findings

The article hypothesizes that hydrogen-rich saline may be a promising, effective, and specific treatment for osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ), due to its ability to selectively reduce hydroxyl and peroxynitrite radicals, thus exerting organ-protective effects through regulating oxidative stress and inflammation. The authors suggest hydrogen-rich saline is safe, portable, and convenient, and could be used as an adjuvant therapy for ORNJ, but emphasize that further in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness.