Protective effects of hydrogen-rich saline against hind limb ischemia reperfusion injury and associated remote lung injury

Abstract

Objective To explore the protective effects of hydrogen-rich saline against hind limb ischemia reperfusion injury and associated remote lung injury in rats. Methods Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham group ( group S) ; saline control group (group C) , undergoing intravenous infusion of saline (1 ml/100 g) at 10 min before reperfusion; hydrogen-treated group ( group H) , undergoing intravenous infusion of hydrogen-rich saline (1 ml/100 g) at 10 min before reperfusion. Hind limb ischemia reperfusion model was established by 4 h of the abdominal aorta ligation followed by a 4 h of reperfusion. Rats were killed at the end of reperfusion, and blood samples were collected for determination of serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α ( TNF-α) , interleukin-6 (IL-6) and malonyldialdehyde ( MDA). Specimens of lung and gastrocnemius muscle were collected for measurement of wet-todry weight (W/D) ratio, light microscopic examination and detection of plasma TNF-α, IL-6 and MDA.Results The pathological changes were milder in group H than in group C. The lung (4. 47 ±0. 23) and gastrocnemius muscle (4. 04 ±0. 22) W/D ratio in group H was significantly lower than in group C (4. 67 ±0.27 vs4. 67 ±0.27, P＜0.05). The serum [(2.08 ± 1. 27) μmol/L, (528. 22 ±221. 17) , (41.14± 13. 01) ng/L, respectively] and homogenate levels [(3. 58 ± 1. 62) μmol/L, ( 1. 17 ±0. 15) , (0. 79±0.29) ng/L in the lung; (8.91 ±3. 13) μmol/L, (3. 13 ±0. 41) ,(3. 07 ± 1. 69) ng/L in the gastrocnemius muscle, respectively] of MDA, IL-6 and TNF-a were also significantly lower in group H than in group C (P ＜0. 05) , but there was no significant difference from group S. Conclusion Infusion of hydrogen-rich saline before reperfsion significantly alleviates the hind limb ischemia reperfusion injury and associated remote lung injury. Key words: Hydrogen-rich saline; Lung; Skeletal muscle; Reperfusion injury; Free radicals