人体持续暴露在辐射环境中，而且在一些特殊的作业环境和医疗手段中可能暴露于更高辐射剂量。辐射损伤不仅可以因为高剂量的急性损伤，也可以发生由于低剂量条件的慢性辐射损伤。人体对辐射的敏感性主要和组织细胞的更新速度有关系，因此造血、上皮和生殖细胞最容易受到辐射的影响。辐射损伤的机制比较复杂，但辐射引起的自由基增加导致的氧化损伤一直是确定的重要病理生理过程。

氢气抗氧化研究的发现引起抗辐射损伤研究领域的关注，有许多采用氢气抗辐射损伤的研究论文已经发表，美国航天局也对这一研究十分关注，并开展了一系列研究。最近来自中国哈尔滨医科大学第二附属医院的一项研究表明，氢气对辐射诱导的睾丸损伤具有保护作用。论文发表在Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2012 Sep 23. doi: 10.1111/bcpt.12016. [Epub ahead of print]。

该研究中使用了一种抗辐射的“标准”药物WR-2721作为有效治疗对照，检测的指标包括，睾丸大小、质量、精子数量、运动能力和凋亡指数等，氢气和WR-2721对上述指标均产生明显的改善作用，同时可减少MDA水平和增加SOD活性。研究结果说明氢气对辐射引起的睾丸损伤具有保护作用。从摘要中没有看到和阳性对照之间的比较。

Protection by Hydrogen against Gamma Ray-Induced Testicular Damage in Rats.

Jiang Z, Xu B, Yang M, Li Z, Zhang Y, Jiang D.

Department of Pediatric Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of hydrogen-rich saline solution (HRSS) and WR-2721 on the testicular damage induced by irradiation. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups. Group I served as control group. Rats in group II were exposed to the irradiation. The animals in group III and IV were injected intraperitoneally with HRSS (5ml/Kg) and WR-2721 (200mg/kg), respectively, 15 min. before the start of gamma irradiation. Testis weight, testis dimensions, sperm count, sperm motility, apoptosis index and biochemical assays were assessed after a 4-day initiation of irradiation. Testis weight, testis dimensions, sperm count, sperm motility in group II were significantly lower compared with those in the control group, whereas they were higher in the HRSS and WR-2721 group. Apoptosis index was significantly increased in group II. Treatment of rats with HRSS and WR-2721 significantly reduced the apoptosis index. On the other hand, irradiation markedly decreased activities of SOD. Activities of SOD were significantly improved when treated with HRSS and WR-2721. Significant increase in the MDA level was observed in group II. MDA levels of group III and IV were significantly lowered when compared with group II. HRSS also played a significant role in the recovery of serum testosterone levels. The results from this experimental study suggest that hydrogen has a possible protective effect against radiation-induced testicular damage.