# Hydrogen-rich saline alleviates cardiomyocyte apoptosis by reducing expression of calpain1 via miR-124-3p.
> 水素富化生理食塩水による心筋細胞アポトーシス抑制：miR-124-3pを介したcalpain1発現低下の関与


## Abstract

This study investigated the cardioprotective mechanisms of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury using adult C57BL/6 mice and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes subjected to I/R and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) conditions. miR-124-3p expression was markedly reduced in both injury models, and HRS pretreatment partially restored its levels. HRS suppressed apoptotic cell death and improved cell viability under I/R conditions; however, silencing miR-124-3p abolished these benefits. Calpain1 was identified as a direct downstream target of miR-124-3p. When calpain1 was overexpressed, caspase-3 activity increased, cleaved-caspase-3 and Bax protein levels rose, and Bcl-2 expression declined, collectively diminishing the cytoprotective effect of HRS in the H/R model. These findings indicate that the miR-124-3p–calpain1 signaling axis is a key mediator of HRS-induced cardioprotection against I/R injury.

### Mechanism

HRS elevates miR-124-3p, which directly suppresses calpain1 expression and activity. Reduced calpain1 limits caspase-3 activation and maintains a favorable Bcl-2/Bax ratio, thereby attenuating cardiomyocyte apoptosis during ischemia-reperfusion.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Xue X, Xi W, Li W, Xiao J, Wang Z, Zhang YJ
- **Journal**: ESC Heart Fail
- **Year**: 2023
- **PMID**: [37602925](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37602925/)
- **DOI**: [10.1002/ehf2.14492](https://doi.org/10.1002/ehf2.14492)
- **PMC**: [PMC10567641](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10567641/)
- **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 37602925. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/37602925
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [37602925](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37602925/)