title: Hydrogen-rich saline protects spermatogenesis and hematopoiesis in irradiated BALB/c mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent studies show that molecular hydrogen (dihydrogen, H2) has potential as an effective and safe radioprotective agent through reducing oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate whether H2 is able to protect spermatogenesis and hematopoiesis from radiation-induced injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  H2 was dissolved in physiological saline using an apparatus produced by our department. -60Co-gamma rays in the irradiation centre were used for irradiation. Spermatid head counts and histological analysis were used to evaluate spermatogenesis. Endogenous hematopoietic spleen colony formation (endoCFUs), bone marrow nucleated cells (BMNC) and peripheral blood (PB) leukocytes were used to evaluate hemopoiesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study demonstrates that treating mice with H2 before ionizing radiation (IR) can increase the spermatid head count and protect seminiferous epithelium from IR. This study also demonstrates that H2 could significantly increase the number of endoCFUs, BMNC and PB leukocyte.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that hydrogen-rich saline could partially protect spermatogenesis and hematopoiesis in irradiated mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Medicine, Faculty of Naval Medicine, 2nd Military Medical University, Shanghai, PR China.
authors.forename: Yunhai
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chuai
authors.forename: Jianliang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Liren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Yicun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yuecheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Fu
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Jianguo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ni
authors.forename: Luqian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Shulin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xuejun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Bailong
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jianming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006410:Hematopoiesis; D006859:Hydrogen; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013091:Spermatogenesis
chemical_list: D012965:Sodium Chloride; D006859:Hydrogen