Effects of Hydrogen Gas Inhalation on Endometriosis in Rats. (February 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: He, Y.; Shi, J. Z.; Zhang, R. J.; Zhai, D. X.; Zhang, D.; Yu, C. Q.; Liu, Y. H.
• Is Part Of: Reproductive sciences. Volume 24:Number 2(2017:Feb.)
• Page Start: 324
• Page End: 331
• Publication Date: 2017-02
• Subjects: hydrogen -- endometriosis -- oxidative stress -- antioxidative; Reproductive health -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; 612.6
• DOI: 10.1177/1933719116655622
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1933-7191

Abstract

Objective: Oxidative stress is generated during the pathophysiology of endometriosis (EMT). Hydrogen (H2 ) has been demonstrated as a gas antioxidant. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the protective effect of H2 on EMT in rats. Study Design: Sprague Dawley rats with surgically induced EMT were randomly received the inhalation of 67% H2 –33% oxygen (O2 ) mixture (1 h/d, 4 weeks) immediately after the EMT surgery or 4 weeks after the operation. The mixture of 67% N2 –33% O2 was also used to exclude the possible influence of the increased O2 . Eight weeks after the operation, the endometrial tissues were weighted and analyzed using histology, immunohistochemistry, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Several antioxidant enzymes and malondialdehyde were also measured in serum and tissue. The estrous cycles were monitored for H2 safety. Results: The results showed that both profiles of high-dose H2 breathing reduced the size of the endometrial explants, inhibited cell proliferation, improved superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, and catalase activities, and regulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 and cyclooxygenase 2. However, inhalation of the same dose of nitrogen failed to show the protection. High-dose H2 breathing did not change the normal estrous cyclicity. Conclusion: These results suggest that 67% H2 –33% O2 breathing has a beneficial effect on EMT model rats, and inhalation of a high dose of H2 could be a potential method applied in clinical practice.