H2-rich water protects against nephrotoxicityScientific Research

Abstract:

Purpose: We assessed intrarenal oxygenation in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity (GIN) and the protective effect of hydrogen-rich water (HW) against GIN using blood oxygenation level-dependent magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Materials and methods: We acquired T(2)*-weighted images (T(2)*WI) of 21 rats on Days 0, 2, 4, and 7 using a 1.5-tesla MR imaging system. The rats were divided into 3 groups of seven each: control rats had free access to standard water and no gentamicin (GM) injection; rats designated the GM group had free access to standard water and were injected with GM (80 mg/kg/day) subcutaneously for 7 days; and the third group, designated the GM+HW group, had free access to HW and were injected with GM. R(2)* (=1/T(2)*) was estimated from T(2)*WI.

Results: R(2)* values in the cortex were significantly decreased on Days 2, 4, and 7 compared with those on Day 0 in the GM group but not significantly changed in the control and GM+HW groups. R(2)* values in the medulla did not change significantly in any group. Conclusions: Our findings suggested reduced oxygen utility, mainly in the cortex, in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity and an ameliorative effect of hydrogen-rich water against GIN.