Effects of hydrogen-rich saline on intestinal injury in a rat model of sepsis

Objective To observe the effects of hydrogen-rich saline (HRS) on intestinal injury in a rat model of sepsis.Methods A in vivo rat model of sepsis was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in our present study. Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly assigned to group Sham, group CLP and group CLP+HRS. At 0, 6 and 18 h after operation, rats received an intraperitoneal injection of HRS of 5 ml/kg (group CLP+HRS), or 5 ml/kg of normal saline (groups sham and CLP). Intestinal levels of TNF-α, IL-6, high mobility group box-1 protein(HMGB1) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase GSH-PX (GSH-PX) and catalase (CAT) were assessed at 24 h after operation.Results Compared with group Sham,TNF-α,IL-6,HMGB1 and MDA were increased while SOD and GSH-PX were decreased in groups CLP and CLP+HRS.Compared with group CLP, group CLP+HRS had significantly improved intestinal pathological injuries, decreased intestinal levels of IL-6, HMGB1 and MDA, and increased activities of SOD and GSH-PX (P0.05).Conclusion HRS ameliorates intestinal injury via inhibiting inflammatory responses and oxidative stresses in a rat model of sepsis.