Protective effect of hydrogen-rich water against gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats using blood oxygenation level-dependent MR imaging.

Abstract

This study examined intrarenal oxygenation changes in a rat model of gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity (GIN) using blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) MRI. Twenty-one rats were allocated to three groups: a control group receiving standard water without gentamicin (GM), a GM group receiving subcutaneous GM injections (80 mg/kg/day for 7 days) with standard water, and a GM+hydrogen-rich water (HW) group receiving the same GM regimen alongside free access to HW. T2*-weighted images were acquired at Days 0, 2, 4, and 7 on a 1.5-tesla MRI system, and R2* values were derived. In the GM group, cortical R2* values declined significantly from Day 2 onward, indicating impaired oxygen utilization in the renal cortex. In contrast, the GM+HW group showed no significant R2* changes, suggesting that hydrogen-rich water consumption mitigated cortical oxygenation deterioration associated with GIN. Medullary R2* values remained stable across all groups.

Mechanism

Hydrogen-rich water consumption appeared to prevent the decline in renal cortical oxygen utilization caused by gentamicin, likely through attenuation of oxidative stress-mediated damage to cortical tissue.