Protective Effects of Hydrogen Gas on Experimental Acute Pancreatitis.
Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease mediated by damage to acinar cells and pancreatic inflammation. In patients with AP, subsequent systemic inflammatory responses and multiple organs dysfunction commonly occur. Interactions between cytokines and oxidative stress greatly contribute to the amplification of uncontrolled inflammatory responses. Molecular hydrogen (H2) is a potent free radical scavenger that not only ameliorates oxidative stress but also lowers cytokine levels. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of H2 gas on AP both in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro assessment, AR42J cells were treated with cerulein and then incubated in H2-rich or normal medium for 24 h, and for the in vivo experiment, AP was induced through a retrograde infusion of 5% sodium taurocholate into the pancreatobiliary duct (0.1 mL/100 g body weight). Wistar rats were treated with inhaled air or 2% H2 gas and sacrificed 12 h following the induction of pancreatitis. Specimens were collected and processed to measure the amylase and lipase activity levels; the myeloperoxidase activity and production levels; the cytokine mRNA expression levels; the 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, and glutathione levels; and the cell survival rate. Histological examinations and immunohistochemical analyses were then conducted. The results revealed significant reductions in inflammation and oxidative stress both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of H2 gas were associated with reductions in AR42J cell and pancreatic tissue damage. In conclusion, our results suggest that H2 gas is capable of ameliorating damage to the pancreas and AR42J cells and that H2 exerts protective effects both in vitro and in vivo on subjects with AP. Thus, the results obtained indicate that this gas may represent a novel therapy agent in the management of AP.
Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Hao-Xin
HX
Zhou
Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Bing
B
Han
Department of Emergency Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Li-Min
LM
Hou
Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Ting-Ting
TT
An
Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Guang
G
Jia
Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Zhuo-Xin
ZX
Cheng
Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Yong
Y
Ma
Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Yi-Nan
YN
Zhou
Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Rui
R
Kong
Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Shuang-Jia
SJ
Wang
Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Yong-Wei
YW
Wang
Department of Diving Medicine, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Xue-Jun
XJ
Sun
Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Shang-Ha
SH
Pan
Department of Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China.
Bei
B
Sun
D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002108:Ceruletide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D008049:Lipase / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D051381:Rats; D013656:Taurocholic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects*
D016207:Cytokines; D013656:Taurocholic Acid; D006859:Hydrogen; D002108:Ceruletide; D008049:Lipase; D000681:Amylases