Hydrogen Nanobubbles May Help Fight Cancer by Reducing Harmful Molecules
- Authors
- Toyohisa Fujita
- Journal
- Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.26717/BJSTR.2019.19.003361
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Cancer
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
Tiny bubbles filled with hydrogen gas can slow down the growth of cancer cells and tumors.
Key Finding
Hydrogen nanobubbles suppressed cancer cell growth both in laboratory cultures and in animal tumors, apparently by reducing reactive oxygen species and triggering cancer cell death.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen nanobubbles (extremely tiny bubbles of hydrogen) could slow cancer cell growth. In laboratory tests, cancer cells grew more slowly when exposed to hydrogen nanobubbles compared to cells without them. In animal studies, tumors also grew more slowly. The researchers believe this happens because hydrogen nanobubbles reduce harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cells, which triggers cancer cells to die.
Practical Takeaway
This is early laboratory and animal research only—not human studies—so it's far too preliminary to suggest hydrogen nanobubbles could treat cancer in people. The findings are interesting from a scientific perspective, but many promising laboratory results don't translate to effective human treatments. Anyone with cancer should rely on established medical treatments and discuss any experimental approaches with their oncologist.
Abstract (excerpt)
The antitumor effect of hydrogen nanobubble was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Cancer cell growth was inhibited in the hydrogen nanobubble-containing medium compared to the non-containing medium (in vitro). Tumor growth was significantly suppressed in the middle stage of transplantation (in vivo)…