Treatment with hydrogen-rich water protects against thioacetamide-induced hepatic encephalopathy in rats through stabilizing liver–brain disturbance

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE), a neuropsychiatric complication secondary to liver cirrhosis and hepatic failure, represents the leading cause of mortality in end-stage liver disease. While hyperammonemia remains the central pathogenic factor in HE progression, emerging evidence implicates oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neuronal apoptosis as critical synergistic contributors to HE pathogenesis. Hydrogen-rich water, known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties, has not been systematically investigated for therapeutic efficacy in HE management. In the current investigation, we successfully established a HE rat model by administering thioacetamide via intraperitoneal injection. By observing the general state and behavioral changes of the rats, detecting liver function and blood ammonia, and observing the pathological changes of liver and brain tissue, it was discussed whether hydrogen-rich water had a preventive and therapeutic effect on hepatic encephalopathy. Oxidative stress, inflammation and neuronal apoptosis were detected in plasma, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus to explore the possible mechanism of its protective effect. The results showed that hydrogen-rich water can improve the behavioral changes of the HE rats, reduce blood ammonia, reduce liver function damage, alleviate the pathological changes of liver and brain tissue, significantly inhibit the systemic and local oxidative stress and inflammation of the brain tissue of the HE rats, and reduce neuronal apoptosis. In summary, hydrogen-rich water might stabilize liver-brain disturbance in thioacetamide-induced HE rats by anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress and reducing neuronal apoptosis.