Hydrogenology
Hydrogenology editorial study record

Protective effects of molecular hydrogen on hepatotoxicity induced by sub-chronic exposure to chlorpyrifos in rats

Xun ZM, Xie F, Zhao PX, Liu MY, Li ZY, Song JM, Kong XM, Ma XM, Li XY. · Ann Agric Environ Med. 2020;27(3):368–373.

PreclinicalH₂-rich waterPublished 2020
Study record, not medical adviceThis page reports one source and Hydrogenology’s source-text extraction. It does not establish that molecular hydrogen is effective, safe or appropriate for any person. Human, animal and laboratory evidence must not be treated as equivalent.
Source and classification

What kind of evidence is this?

Evidence stream

Preclinical

Reported design

Controlled rat study

Research topic

Liver health

Administration classification

H₂-rich water

Study result signal

Mixed positive preclinical signal.

Outcome type

Tissue and biochemical outcomes in a toxicology model.

Reported in the source

Methods at a glance

Population or model

Male Wistar rats exposed to chlorpyrifos.

Sample

30 rats; three groups of 10.

Duration

Eight weeks.

Intervention

Hydrogen-rich water available for one hour twice daily during chlorpyrifos exposure.

Hydrogen form

H₂ dissolved in drinking water.

H₂ specification

0.55–0.65 mmol/L, pH about 8, prepared with a magnesium stick.

H₂ flow

Not applicable.

O₂ delivered with H₂

No oxygen was co-delivered.

Comparator

Untreated control and chlorpyrifos-only groups.

Reported, not endorsed

Outcomes and reported result

Outcomes measured

Liver histology, enzymes and oxidative and antioxidant markers.

Reported result

Several liver-injury and oxidative measures favored hydrogen-rich water, while not every measured endpoint differed.

Results-extraction completeness

The full article methods, intervention, outcomes, positive and null findings, funding and conflict statements were checked.

A reported association, difference or mechanism is not automatically a clinical benefit. Null findings, outcome type, study design and precision all matter.

Interpretation limits

Cautions and applicability

Design and reporting cautions

Animal toxicology evidence only; water alkalinity and magnesium-based preparation may co-vary with H₂.

Applies directly to

The reported chlorpyrifos rat model only.

Preliminary appraisal framework

SYRCLE animal-study tool — preliminary

Preliminary risk-of-bias status

Some concerns

Appraisal rationale

Group controls were present, but randomization, concealment and assessor blinding were not fully described.

Appraisal domains

Sequence generation checked where reported · Allocation concealment generally unclear · Personnel blinding generally unclear · Outcome-assessor blinding generally unclear · No prospectively registered analysis plan identified

No single-study GRADE certainty rating is assigned. Certainty is assessed by important outcome across a complete eligible evidence set, not by attaching a final grade to one source.

Provenance

Sources and record status

Identifiers

PMID: 32955216 · DOI: 10.26444/aaem/125504

Publisher access

A free publisher or repository full article was checked.

Extraction basis

Publisher or repository full article and bibliographic record; checked 10 August 2026.

Record revision

2026-08-10

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