Metabolomics Analysis of the Effect of Hydrogen-Rich Water on Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats.

Abstract

Using a Langendorff-perfused isolated rat heart model, this study examined how hydrogen-rich water (HRW) influences myocardial tissue metabolism during ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI). Twelve rats were divided equally into HRW and control groups; hearts were perfused with Krebs-Ringer solution with or without HRW at 37°C. LC-MS-based metabolomics combined with PCA, PLS-DA, and OPLS-DA statistical approaches identified metabolites differing significantly between groups (VIP ≥ 1, p < 0.05). Seven MIRI-associated signaling pathways were uncovered, including glycerophospholipid metabolism, glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored biosynthesis, and purine metabolism. Ten candidate biomarkers were identified, among them phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine. The findings suggest that HRW modulates metabolic dysregulation in ischemia-reperfusion-injured myocardium through multiple interconnected pathways, resulting in reduced cardiac injury in the isolated heart preparation.

Mechanism

HRW modulates at least seven MIRI-related metabolic pathways—including glycerophospholipid metabolism, GPI-anchored biosynthesis, and purine metabolism—normalizing phospholipid biomarkers such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylserine to restore myocardial metabolic homeostasis.