General Research
Model: rat
Hydrogen ameliorates lung injury in a rat model of subacute exposure to concentrated ambient PM2.5 via Aryl hydrocarbon receptor
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How Hydrogen Gas Can Help Protect Your Lungs from Air Pollution
A recent study found that hydrogen gas can help protect lungs from damage caused by air pollution. The research, conducted on rats, showed that hydrogen gas reduced lung injury caused by PM2.5, a common pollutant. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for lung diseases and a healthier future for all of us.
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Publish Year 2019 Country China Rank Positive Journal International Immunopharmacology Primary Topic Lung Secondary TopicEnvironmental Pollution Model Rat Tertiary TopicParticute Matter Exposure Vehicle Gas pH N/A Application Inhalation Comparison Complement
Background
Methods: Male Wastar rats were exposed to either concentrated ambient particles (CAPs) (diameter: ≤2.5 μm, average concentration: 1328 ± 730 μg/m3) or filtered air (FA) by nose-only inhalation (5 h/day, 5 days/week for 4 weeks). Hydrogen-treated rats inhaled 66.7% hydrogen from water electrolysis for 2 h after each exposure to CAPs or FA.
Methods
Results: CAPs inhalation induced lung injury, as demonstrated by pulmonary function decrease, histopathological damage, mucus hypersecretion [Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining for mucins, immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) for mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) expression], increased pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-8 and IL-1β) and oxidative damage indexes [malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-isoprostane F2α (8-iso-PG)]. While, hydrogen inhalation significantly alleviated the damages mentioned above. In addition, low expression of AhR in lung tissues determined by Western Blot was found after CAPs exposure, whereas hydrogen inhibited AhR decline induced by CAPs. Conclusions: High concentrations of hydrogen could ameliorate pulmonary dysfunction, airway mucus hypersecretion, oxidation damage, and inflammation response in rats exposed to concentrated ambient PM2.5. Additionally, hydrogen alleviates lung injury induced by PM2.5 possibly through AhR-dependent mechanisms.