# Hydrogen-rich saline regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation in sepsis-associated encephalopathy rat model.
> 水素富化生理食塩水による敗血症関連脳症ラットモデルにおけるNLRP3インフラマソーム活性化の調節


## Abstract

Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) causes lasting cognitive and psychiatric sequelae in sepsis survivors. This study examined the neuroprotective potential of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) in a juvenile rat SAE model induced by intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5 mg/kg). HRS (5 ml/kg) was administered 1 hour after LPS injection. Compared with untreated septic animals, HRS-treated rats exhibited reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β, elevated activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT, and GPX, and decreased MDA, MPO, and 8-OHdG levels. Immunofluorescence revealed fewer MMP-9- and NLRP3-positive cells, along with reduced GFAP, IBA-1, and CD86 immunoreactivity and increased CD206 expression. Western blot analysis demonstrated downregulation of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, MMP-2/9, TLR4, and Bax proteins, with concurrent upregulation of Bcl-2. These findings indicate that HRS suppresses neuroinflammation, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, neuronal apoptosis, and mitochondrial dysfunction through the NLRP3/Caspase-1/TLR4 signaling axis in juvenile SAE rats.

### Mechanism

HRS suppresses NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and downstream caspase-1 activation via the NLRP3/Caspase-1/TLR4 signaling axis, while concurrently reducing oxidative stress markers and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, thereby attenuating neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Dumbuya JS, Chen X, Du J, Li SC, Liang L, Xie H, et al.
- **Journal**: Int Immunopharmacol
- **Year**: 2023
- **PMID**: [37556997](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37556997/)
- **DOI**: [10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110758](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110758)
- **Study type**: animal study
- **Delivery route**: injection / infusion
- **Effect reported**: positive

## Delivery context

Intravenous hydrogen-saline infusion is a clinic-only route and is not viable for everyday self-administration. For routine hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most practical route, but inhalation carries explosion risk and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration 66% / 100% devices are not recommended).

## Safety notes

Intravenous hydrogen-saline infusion is a clinic-only route and is not viable for everyday self-administration. For routine hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most practical route, but inhalation carries explosion risk and concentration matters (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration 66% / 100% devices are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 37556997. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/37556997
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [37556997](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37556997/)