The effect of hydrogen on inflammatory cytokines in the mice model of necrotizing enterocolitis

Objective To observe the effect of hydrogen on inflammatory cytokines in the mice model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Methods Eight~ten days old C57BL/6J mice were used to establish the mice model of NEC by exposure to asphyxia and cold stress with formula feeding, and the mice were randomized into the following groups: Group A, control group (n=18); Group B, NEC group (n=19); Group C, Control+ hydrogen group(n=18); Group D, NEC+ hydrogen group(n=20). Histological changes of the distant ileum and the general appearance of mice were observed to evaluate the severity of NEC.The inflammatory cytokines interferon(IFN)-γ, interleukin(IL)-17, and IL-4 expression in T cells in spleens, lymph nodes, and lamina propria were analyzed by flow cytometry. Result Hydrogen attenuated the severity of NEC affected mice, reduced the incidence of NEC form 52.63%(10/19) to 45.00%(9/20), and increased the survival rate form 15.79%(3/19) to 10%(2/20). The levels of IFN-γ in CD4+ T cells decreased in the NEC group when compared with the control group.In addition, hydrogen increased the levels of IFN-γ in CD4+ T cells(t=2.456, P<0.05) and the levels of IL-4 in CD3+ T cells(t=4.721, P<0.05) in the spleen of group D when compared with Group B. However, hydrogen had no effect to others detected inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion Hydrogen shows beneficial effects on NEC affected neonatal mice, which might be associated with the up-regulation of both the inflammatory mediator (IFN-γ) expression in CD4+ T cells and the anti-inflammatory factor (IL-4) expression in CD3+ T cells in the spleen. Key words: Necrotizing enterocolitis; Hydrogen; Interferon-γ; Interleukin-4