Effects of hydrogen gas inhalation on serum high mobility group box 1 levels in severe septic mice

Objective: To investigate the effect of hydrogen gas inhalation on survival rate and serum high mobility group box 1(HMGB1) levels in severe septic mice.Methods: Severe sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture(CLP) operation in mice.A total of 248 mice were randomly divided into four groups:sham operation group(sham),sham operation with hydrogen gas inhalation group(sham+H2),severe CLP group(severe CLP) and severe CLP with hydrogen gas inhalation group(severe CLP+H2).Hydrogen gas inhalation was given for 1 h at 1st and 6th h after CLP or sham operation,respectively.The survival rates and serum HMGB1 levels of all groups at different time points were measured.Results: The 7-d survival rates of severe CLP mice was 0%(vs Sham group,P0.05),and the serum HMBG1 levels from h2 to h32 after CLP operation were significantly increased in severe CLP mice(vs Sham group,P0.05).Hydrogen gas treatment increased the 7-d survival rate of severe CLP mice to 60%(vs severe sepsis group,P0.05) and significantly reduced the serum HMGB1 levels at different time points(vs severe sepsis group,P0.05).Conclusion: Hydrogen gas inhalation can decrease the serum HMGB1 levels and increase the survival rate of rats with severe sepsis.