Hydrogen Therapy Helps Lung Infection Patient with Nerve Disease
Adjunctive Molecular Hydrogen Capsule Therapy in Empyema Complicated by Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: A Case Report
Research hubs: Respiratory System · Brain & Nervous System
- Evidence type
- Case report or series · Human study
- Authors
- Guan-Long Li, Jeng-Wei Lu, Yi-Jung Ho, Shan-Wen Lui, Ting-Yu Hsieh, Kuang-Yih Wang, Feng-Cheng Liu
- Journal
- In Vivo
- Year
- 2026
- PMID
- 42049414
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 1
- Delivery
- Gas (Sustained Release)
- Dose
- oral molecular hydrogen therapy
- Funding
- National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (NSTC 112-2314-B-016-033); National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (NSTC 113-2314-B-016-052); National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (NSTC 114-2314-B-016-052-MY3); National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (NSTC 114-2313-B-019-012); Tri-Service General Hospital, Taiwan (TSGH-E-112218); Tri-Service General Hospital, Taiwan (TSGH-E-113238)
- Conflicts of interest
- None declared
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 0 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Taiwan
TL;DR
In a single complex case of Stage II empyema with CIDP, adjuvant oral molecular hydrogen was associated with clinical recovery and immune shifts toward reduced hyperinflammation and restored regulatory balance.
Key Finding
In this single patient case, molecular hydrogen therapy was associated with a shift in immune cell populations toward a more balanced state, with selective reduction of overactive immune cells and preservation of regulatory immune cells.
Summary
This case report describes a 76-year-old man with two serious conditions—a lung infection (empyema) and a nerve disorder (CIDP)—who was treated with surgery followed by oral molecular hydrogen therapy. Doctors monitored his immune system cells over time and found that hydrogen therapy appeared to help reduce excessive inflammation while preserving immune cells needed for protection, allowing him to recover and leave the hospital.
Practical Takeaway
This is a single case report of one patient with two rare, serious conditions—not evidence that hydrogen water helps healthy people or those with common illnesses. While the immunological changes observed are interesting, case reports cannot prove that hydrogen caused the improvement, since the patient also received surgery and other treatments. Much larger and more rigorous studies would be needed before drawing any conclusions about hydrogen's usefulness.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background/aim: The management of Stage II empyema complicated by chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) presents a formidable clinical challenge due to the precarious balance required between aggressive infection control and the modulation of immune-mediated neurological frailty…