Protective effects of hydrogen gas against spinal cord ischemia–reperfusion injury

H2 inhalation was initiated 10 minutes before the ischemia, and SCI was performed by clamping the descending aorta. The increase in extracellular glutamate induced by spinal ischemia was significantly suppressed by 3% H2 inhalation, whereas the preadministration of glutamate transporter-1 inhibitor diminished the suppression of spinal ischemia-induced glutamate increase observed during the inhalation of 3% H2. Immunofluorescence indicated the expression of glutamate transporter-1 in the SCI group was significantly decreased compared with the sham group, which was attenuated by 3% H2 inhalation (P < .05). Our study demonstrated H2 inhalation exhibits a protective and concentration-dependent effect against spinal ischemic injury, and glutamate transporter-1 has an important role in the protective effects against spinal cord injury.