Hydrogen Gas Helps Protect Heart Function in Newborns After Birth Asphyxia
Association between hydrogen gas inhalation and cardiac output in an asphyxiated piglet model
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System · Respiratory System
- Evidence type
- Animal study (pig)
- Authors
- Kosuke Sakamoto, Shinji Nakamura, Toui Tsuchiya, Tsutomu Mitsuie, Yasuhiro Nakao, Yinmon Htun, Takayuki Yokota, Kota Inoue, Eri Inoue, Takayuki Wakabayashi, Aya Morimoto, Kosuke Koyano, Yukihiko Konishi, Takashi Iwase, Taikou Horii, Takashi Kusaka
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Year
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41598-026-35115-2
- Study Type
- Pig
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
TL;DR
Hydrogen inhalation helped preserve heart function in newborns after oxygen deprivation by supporting cardiac output and circulation.
Key Finding
Newborn piglets that inhaled hydrogen gas for 6 hours after asphyxia showed significantly higher right-side heart output at 5 hours post-injury compared to untreated piglets.
Summary
This study tested whether inhaling hydrogen gas could help protect the heart in newborn piglets that had experienced oxygen deprivation (asphyxia). Researchers compared piglets that received 6 hours of hydrogen gas inhalation after the oxygen deprivation to piglets that did not receive it. The piglets that inhaled hydrogen gas showed better function in the right side of their heart, particularly at 5 hours after the injury, suggesting hydrogen gas may help preserve heart function during recovery from severe oxygen loss.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research in newborn piglets only, not humans. While the results suggest hydrogen gas inhalation may help protect heart function after severe oxygen deprivation, much more research—including human studies—would be needed before any clinical applications could be considered. The findings are preliminary and cannot be applied to health decisions at this time.
Abstract (excerpt)
About 80% of neonates with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) have cardiovascular dysfunction and are vulnerable to late-onset injury due to disrupted cerebral blood flow and metabolism. We previously reported the neuroprotective effect of hydrogen (H2) gas. This study investigated the effects…