Hydrogen Gas Helps Elderly Mice Survive Severe Lung Inflammation
- Authors
- Toshiyuki Aokage, Masumi Iketani, Mizuki Seya, Ying Meng, Kohei Ageta, Hiromichi Naito, Atsunori Nakao, Ikuroh Ohsawa
- Journal
- Experimental Gerontology
- Year
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112270
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Sepsis
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas reduced lung inflammation and signs of aging in elderly mice with artificially induced inflammation.
Key Finding
In aged mice with induced inflammation, continuous inhalation of 2% hydrogen gas for 24 hours reduced lung inflammation, improved survival rates, and decreased aging-related markers in lung tissue.
Summary
Researchers exposed old mice to a bacterial toxin (lipopolysaccharide) to trigger inflammation similar to sepsis, then tested whether breathing hydrogen gas could help. Mice that breathed 2% hydrogen gas continuously for 24 hours showed reduced lung inflammation, lower levels of aging-related proteins, and better survival rates compared to mice that didn't receive hydrogen. However, hydrogen gas did not protect the liver from injury in this experiment.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study that suggests hydrogen gas inhalation may help reduce lung inflammation in elderly individuals during severe infections, but it has significant limitations: it was only tested in mice, not humans, and the liver showed no protection. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before any therapeutic claims could be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
Introduction: With the global population aging, there is an increased prevalence of sepsis among the elderly, a demographic particularly susceptible to inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of hydrogen gas, known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties…