Hydrogen-rich saline protects myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

Abstract

This rat study examined whether intraperitoneally administered hydrogen-rich saline could reduce cardiac damage following 30 minutes of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion and 24 hours of reperfusion. Animals receiving hydrogen-rich saline prior to reperfusion showed significantly lower plasma and myocardial malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, reduced 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the area at risk, suppressed caspase-3 activity, decreased cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and smaller infarct size compared with controls. Cardiac functional parameters—including left ventricular systolic pressure, diastolic pressure, and the maximum rates of pressure rise and fall (±dP/dt)—were also markedly improved at 24 hours post-reperfusion. These findings indicate that hydrogen-rich saline administration before reperfusion confers measurable cardioprotection in this experimental model.

Mechanism

Hydrogen-rich saline is proposed to scavenge reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing lipid peroxidation (evidenced by lower MDA and 8-OHdG levels) and suppressing caspase-3-mediated apoptotic signaling, collectively limiting cardiomyocyte death during reperfusion.