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Published on: June 2, 2022
Effect of molecular hydrogen treatment on Sepsis-Associated encephalopathy in mice based on gut microbiota
Qingqing Han1, Yuanyuan Bai2, Chunjing Zhou3
1Department of Anaesthesiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin Research Institute of Anaesthesiology, Tianjin, China.
Introduction:
In our experiments, male wild-type mice were randomly divided into four groups: the sham, SAE, SAE + 2% hydrogen gas inhalation (H2 ), and SAE + hydrogen-rich water (HW) groups. The feces of the mice were collected for 16 S rDNA analysis 24 h after the models were established, and the serum and brain tissue of the mice were collected for nontargeted metabolomics analysis.
Aim:
Destruction of the intestinal microbiota is a risk factor for sepsis and subsequent organ dysfunction, and up to 70% of severely ill patients with sepsis exhibit varying degrees of sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE). The pathogenesis of SAE remains unclear. We aimed to explore the changes in gut microbiota in SAE and the regulatory mechanism of molecular hydrogen.
Results:
Molecular hydrogen treatment significantly improved the functional outcome of SAE and downregulated inflammatory reactions in both the brain and the gut. In addition, molecular hydrogen treatment improved gut microbiota dysbiosis and partially amended metabolic disorder after SAE.
Conclusions:
Molecular hydrogen treatment promotes functional outcomes after SAE in mice, which may be attributable to increasing beneficial bacteria, repressing harmful bacteria, and metabolic disorder, and reducing inflammation.
Insights
Molecular hydrogen (H2) improves outcomes in sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) by restoring gut microbiota and reducing inflammation. This study explores H2
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a severe complication of sepsis, impacting brain function.
- Gut microbiota dysbiosis is implicated in SAE pathogenesis, but mechanisms remain unclear.
- Molecular hydrogen (H2) is being investigated for its therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of molecular hydrogen on gut microbiota and metabolic changes in a mouse model of SAE.
- To explore the regulatory mechanism of H2 in SAE.
Main Methods:
- Male wild-type mice were assigned to sham, SAE, SAE + H2 gas, or SAE + hydrogen-rich water groups.
- Fecal samples were analyzed using 16S rDNA sequencing.
- Serum and brain tissues underwent untargeted metabolomics analysis.
Main Results:
- Molecular hydrogen treatment significantly improved functional outcomes in SAE mice.
- H2 administration downregulated inflammatory responses in the brain and gut.
- H2 treatment ameliorated gut microbiota dysbiosis and partially corrected metabolic disorders.
Conclusions:
- Molecular hydrogen promotes functional recovery in SAE by modulating gut bacteria and reducing inflammation.
- H2 may increase beneficial bacteria and decrease harmful bacteria, contributing to its therapeutic effects.
- Hydrogen-rich interventions show promise for managing SAE and its associated metabolic disturbances.

