Hydrogen mediates suppression of colon inflammation induced by dextran sodium sulfate

By its antioxidant effect, molecular hydrogen gas (H2) was reported to protect organs from tissue damage induced by ischemia reperfusion. To evaluate its anti-inflammatory effects, we established a mouse model of human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by supplying mice with water containing (1) dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) (5%), (2) DSS (5%) and H2, or (3) H2 only ad libitum up to 7 days. At day-7, DSS-induced pathogenic outcomes including, loss of body weight, increase of colitis score, pathogenic shortening of colon length, elevated level of IL-12, TNF-α and IL-1β in colon lesion, were significantly suppressed by the addition of H2 to DSS solution. Histological analysis also revealed that the DSS-mediated colonic tissue destruction accompanied by macrophage infiltration was remarkably suppressed by H2. Therefore, the present study indicated that H2 can prevent the development of DSS-induced colitis in mice.