Abstract
In the present study, we examined the mechanisms of hydrogen-rich saline, a reported therapeutic antioxidant, in the treatment of acute spinal cord contusion injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used to produce a standardized model of contuses spinal cord injury (125 kdyn force). Hydrogen-rich saline was injected intraperitoneally (5 ml/kg) immediately, and at 24 and 48 h after injury. All rats were sacrificed at 72 h after spinal cord injury (SCI). Apoptotic cell death, oxidative stress, inflammation, level of Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were evaluated. In addition, locomotor behavior was assessed using the Basso, Beattice and Bresnahan (BBB) scale. We observed that administration of hydrogen-rich saline decreased the number of apoptotic cells, suppressed oxidative stress, and improved locomotor functions. Hydrogen-rich saline increased the release of BDNF. In conclusion, hydrogen-rich saline reduced acute spinal cord contusion injury, possibly by reduction of oxidative stress and elevation of BDNF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Genovese T, Cuzzocrea S (2008) Role of free radicals and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 in the development of spinal cord injury: new potential therapeutic targets. Curr Med Chem 15:477–487
Hall ED, Braughler JM (1993) Free radicals in CNS injury. Res Publ Assoc Res Nerv Ment Dis 71:81–105
Genovese T, Mazzon E, Menegazzi M et al (2006) Neuroprotection and enhanced recovery with hypericum perforatum extract after experimental spinal cord injury in mice. Shock 25:608–617
Xiong Y, Hall ED (2009) Pharmacological evidence for a role of peroxynitrite in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 216:105–114
Fontanari P, Badier M, Guillot C et al (2000) Changes in maximal performance of inspiratory and skeletal muscles during and after the 7.1-MPa Hydra 10 record human dive. Eur J Appl Physiol 81:325–328
Cai J, Kang Z, Liu K et al (2009) Neuroprotective effects of hydrogen saline in neonatal hypoxia-ischemia rat model. Brain Res 1256:129–137
Ohsawa I, Ishikawa M, Takahashi K et al (2007) Hydrogen acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing cytotoxic oxygen radicals. Nat Med 13:688–694
Zheng X, Mao Y, Cai J et al (2009) Hydrogen-rich saline protects against intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats. Free Radic Res 43:478–484
Bothwell M (1995) Functional interactions of neurotrophins and neurotrophin receptors. Annu Rev Neurosci 18:223–253
Allen AR (1911) Surgery of experimental lesion of spinal cord equivalent to crush injury of fracture dislocation of spinal column. J Am Med Assoc 57:878–880
Ohkawa H, Ohishi N, Yagi K (1979) Assay for lipid peroxides in animal tissues by thiobarbituric acid reaction. Anal Biochem 95:351–358
Basso DM, Beattie MS, Bresnahan JC (1995) A sensitive and reliable locomotor rating scale for open field testing in rats. J Neurotrauma 12:1–21
Basso DM, Beattie MS, Bresnahan JC et al (1996) MASCIS evaluation of open field locomotor scores: effects of experience and teamwork on reliability. Multicenter animal spinal cord injury Study. J Neurotrauma 13:343–359
Fukuda K, Asoh S, Ishikawa M et al (2007) Inhalation of hydrogen gas suppresses hepatic injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion through reducing oxidative stress. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 361:670–674
Hayashida K, Sano M, Ohsawa I et al (2008) Inhalation of hydrogen gas reduces infarct size in the rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 373:30–35
Ohsawa I, Nishimaki K, Yamagata K et al (2008) Consumption of hydrogen water prevents atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 377:1195–1198
Friedman B, Kleinfeld D, Ip NY et al (1995) BDNF and NT-4/5 exert neurotrophic influences on injured adult spinal motor neurons. J Neurosci 15:1044–1056
Zhang JY, Luo XG, Xian CJ et al (2000) Endogenous BDNF is required for myelination and regeneration of injured sciatic nerve in rodents. Eur J Neurosci 12:4171–4180
Tolwani RJ, Cosgaya JM, Varma S et al (2004) BDNF overexpression produces a long-term increase in myelin formation in the peripheral nervous system. J Neurosci Res 77:662–669
Lee SI, Kim BG, Hwang DH et al (2009) Overexpression of Bcl-XL in human neural stem cells promotes graft survival and functional recovery following transplantation in spinal cord injury. J Neurosci Res 87:3186–3197
Yaguchi M, Ohta S, Toyama Y et al (2008) Functional recovery after spinal cord injury in mice through activation of microglia and dendritic cells after IL-12 administration. J Neurosci Res 86:1972–1980
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by grants from the fund of National Nature Science Foundation of China (30772092 to Dr. Xueyin Shi).and Disaster Medial Foundation at the Second Military University (200805 to Dr. Hongbin Yuan).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding authors
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chen, C., Chen, Q., Mao, Y. et al. Hydrogen-Rich Saline Protects Against Spinal Cord Injury in Rats. Neurochem Res 35, 1111–1118 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-010-0162-y
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11064-010-0162-y