Inhalation of hydrogen gas suppresses hepatic injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion through reducing oxidative stress

Abstract

We have recently showed that molecular hydrogen has great potential for selectively reducing cytotoxic reactive oxygen species, such as hydroxyl radicals, and that inhalation of hydrogen gas decreases cerebral infarction volume by reducing oxidative stress [I. Ohsawa, M. Ishikawa, K. Takahashi, M. Watanabe, K. Nishimaki, K. Yamagata, K.-I. Katsura, Y. Katayama, S. Asoh, S. Ohta, Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals, Nat. Med., 13 (2007) 688–694]. Here we show that the inhalation of hydrogen gas is applicable for hepatic injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion, using mice. The portal triad to the left lobe and the left middle lobe of the liver were completely occluded for 90 min, followed by reperfusion for 180 min. Inhalation of hydrogen gas (1–4%) during the last 190 min suppressed hepatic cell death, and reduced levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and hepatic mal- ondialdehyde. In contrast, helium gas showed no protective effect, suggesting that the protective effect by hydrogen gas is specific. Thus, we propose that inhalation of hydrogen gas is a widely applicable method to reduce oxidative stress.  2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Study details

Article type

Original Research

Disease / injury model

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury

Duration

3 hours

Dose comparison

The study tested three concentrations of hydrogen gas (1%, 2%, 4%) and found a concentration-dependent protective effect against hepatic I/R injury.

Dose-dependent effect

Yes

Outcome

Positive

Findings

Inhalation of hydrogen gas (1–4%) during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion in mice significantly suppressed hepatic cell death, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, and decreased hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, indicating reduced oxidative stress and liver injury. The effect was concentration-dependent and specific to hydrogen, as helium gas showed no protective effect.