High-Dose Hydrogen Reduces Lung Inflammation in Animal Studies
- Authors
- Kang Xiao, Jianwei Liu, Yuxin Sun, Shangya Chen, Jiazi Ma, Mao Cao, Yong Yang, Zhifeng Pan, Peng Li, Zhongjun Du
- Journal
- Frontiers in Immunology
- Year
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1444958
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Lung Diseases
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Scientists looked at a bunch of studies and found that hydrogen gas might help protect lungs by reducing inflammation and damage from harmful chemicals, at least in mice and rats. While this is promising, they need to test it on actual people to know if it really works as a treatment for lung diseases.
Key Finding
In rodent studies, high concentrations of hydrogen reduced multiple inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-8) and oxidative stress indicators (MDA, ROS), suggesting potential protective effects in lung diseases.
Summary
Researchers reviewed 12 animal studies to see if high concentrations of hydrogen gas could reduce inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) in lung diseases. All studies used rodents. The analysis found that hydrogen reduced several inflammatory markers and oxidative stress indicators, though results were mixed for some markers. However, no human studies have tested this yet, so it's unclear if these animal findings apply to people.
Practical Takeaway
While this meta-analysis of animal studies suggests hydrogen may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties relevant to lung health, all evidence comes from rodent models. No human clinical trials have been conducted yet, so it's premature to draw conclusions about whether hydrogen water or inhalation would benefit people with lung disease. More research in humans is needed before any health claims can be made.
Abstract
As a small molecule, hydrogen is colorless, odorless and lightest. Many studies conducted that hydrogen can protect almost every organ, including the brain, heart muscle, liver, small intestine, and lungs. To verify whether high concentrations of hydrogen (HCH) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities on respiratory system, we product a systematic review and meta-analysis. We investigated MEDLINE-PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Wiley and SpringerLink database and selected in vivo studies related to the anti-inflammatory or antioxidant effects of HCH in the lung diseases which were published until September 2023. We firstly identified 437 studies and only 12 met the inclusion criteria. They all conducted in rodents. The results showed that HCH had a positive effect on the reduction of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-8, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reactive oxygen species (ROS); but there is no effect on IL-6, we speculated that may contribute to the test results for different body fluids and at different points in time. This meta-analysis discovered the protective effects on inflammation and oxidative stress, but whether there exists more effects on reduction of inflammatory and oxidant mediators needs to be further elucidated.