Protective effect of hydrogen gas on survival rate and liver injury in septic mice

Objective:To investigate the protective effects of hydrogen gas(H2) on survival rate and liver injury in septic mice induced by zymosan(ZY).Methods:One hundred and twenty male ICR mice,aged 5 weeks,weighing 20-25 g,were randomly divided into 4 groups(n=30 each):control group(group A),H2group(group B),ZY group(group C) and ZY + H2group(group D).Septic mice were produced by peritoneal injection of ZY in groups C and D.Mice in groups B and D received 1h inhalation of 2% H2at 1 and 6h after normal saline or ZY injection.Twenty animals in each group were selected and observed for the 7d survival rates.The left 10 animals in each group were sacrificed at 24h after injection.Venous blood samples and liver tissues were obtained to determine the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha(8-iso-PGF2α).Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) were tested,meanwhile liver histopathology were examined.Results:Compared with group A,the animals in group C showed a significant decrease of 7 d survival rate,liver injury(the increase of serum ALT,AST and histopathological scores),the decrease of SOD activities and increase of 8-iso-PGF2α levels in serum and liver tissues(P0.05).Compared with group C,the animals in group D showed a significant increase of 7d survival rate,improvement of liver injury(the increase of serum ALT,AST and histopathological scores),increase of SOD activities and decrease of 8-iso-PGF2α levels in serum and liver tissues(P0.05).Conclusion:Hydrogen can improve the survival rate and liver injury in septic mice via inhibiting oxidative stress.