Maternal molecular hydrogen administration on lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse fetal brain injury.

Abstract

Fetal brain injury frequently arises in the context of prenatal inflammation, yet effective preventive strategies remain scarce. This animal study examined whether hydrogen-rich water given to pregnant C3H/HeN mice could reduce fetal brain damage induced by intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on gestational day 15.5. Hydrogen-rich water was provided for 24 hours before LPS injection. Fetal brain tissue collected on gestational day 16.5 was assessed by immunohistochemistry for apoptosis and oxidative damage, and IL-6 mRNA levels were quantified by real-time PCR. LPS administration significantly elevated all three markers compared with controls. In dams that received hydrogen-rich water prior to LPS, apoptosis, oxidative damage, and IL-6 mRNA were each significantly reduced. These findings indicate that antenatal hydrogen-rich water intake by the mother may attenuate LPS-driven inflammatory and oxidative injury in the developing fetal brain.

Mechanism

Molecular hydrogen selectively scavenges hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite, thereby suppressing LPS-induced oxidative damage, apoptosis, and IL-6 mRNA upregulation in the fetal brain following maternal administration.