Hydrogen-Rich Water Mitigates LPS-Induced Chronic Intestinal Inflammatory Response in Rats via Nrf-2 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways

Abstract

Long-term exposure to low-dose lipopolysaccharide can impair intestinal barriers, causing intestinal inflammation and leading to systemic inflammation. Hydrogen-rich water possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions and exerts inhibitory effects on various inflammatory diseases. In this study, we investigated whether oral hydrogen-rich water could prevent lipopolysaccharide-induced chronic intestinal inflammation. An experimental model was established by feeding hydrogen-rich water, followed by the injection of lipopolysaccharide (200 μg/kg) in the tail vein of rats after seven months. ELISA, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and other methods were used to detect related cytokines, proteins related to the NF-κB and Nrf-2 signaling pathways, and tight-junction proteins to study the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of hydrogen-rich water. The obtained results show that hydrogen-rich water significantly increased the levels of superoxide dismutase and structural proteins; activated the Nrf-2 signaling pathway; downregulated the expression of inflammatory factors cyclooxygenase-2, myeloperoxidase, and ROS; and decreased the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway. These results suggest that hydrogen-rich water could protect against chronic intestinal inflammation in rats caused by lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway by regulating the Nrf-2 signaling pathway.