Longitudinal multiparametric MRI study of hydrogen-enriched water with minocycline combination therapy in experimental ischemic stroke in rats.

Abstract

Using a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model, this study examined the effects of hydrogen-enriched water alone (H2) and in combination with minocycline (H2M) through longitudinal multiparametric MRI and neurological scoring. Twelve animals per group were assessed at 1 and 7 days post-stroke. Both H2 and H2M groups showed significantly reduced infarct volumes relative to vehicle controls at both time points, and neurological functional recovery was improved by day 7 in both active treatment groups. Secondary analyses revealed that H2M additionally suppressed post-stroke hyperperfusion during the hyperacute phase and substantially reduced white matter injury. This represents the first longitudinal MRI-based comparison of H2 alone versus H2 combined with a neuroprotective agent in experimental ischemic stroke.

Mechanism

Molecular hydrogen acts as an antioxidant that freely crosses the blood-brain barrier and cellular membranes, scavenging free radicals involved in cytotoxic cascades of ischemic brain injury, thereby reducing infarct volume and attenuating white matter damage.