The effects of hydrogen-rich saline on renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in mice

Objective To evaluate the protective effect of hydrogen-rich saline on renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in mice. Methods Thirty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operated (SO) group, I/R group (mice were injected with 5 ml/kg saline by tail vein just before ischemia induction) and hydrogen-rich saline group (mice were injected with 5 ml/kg hydrogen-rich saline). At the 6th h after reperfusion, the sera and renal samples subject to IR injury were collected. The Scr and BUN levels in serum were determined and renal histological changes were also examined. The apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells was measured by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay. Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in renal samples were measured using specific kits. The infiltration of F4/80 positive macrophages and neutrophils was assayed by using immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-17 was detected by using real time reverse transcription PCR. Results As compared with LR group, at the 6th h following reperfusion the levels of Scr and BUN were significantly reduced (P<0.05), histological changes obviously alleviated (P<0.01), apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells and MDA contents was decreased (P<0.05) in hydrogen-rich saline group. Moreover, the infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils, and the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and IL-17 in renal tissue in hydrogen-rich saline group were also declined as compared with IR group (P<0.05). Conclusion Hydrogen-rich saline can ameliorate renal IR injury to some extent, which is associated with inhibition of inflammatory response induced by reperfusion. Key words: Hydrogen; Sodium chloride; Reperfusion injury; Mice; Kidney