Hydrogen Gas Helps Reduce Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms in Mice
- Authors
- Shengjian Fang, Xinqian Li, Xian Wei, Yu Zhang, Zhaoxin Ma, Youzhen Wei, Weihua Wang
- Journal
- Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
- Year
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.3892/etm.2018.6880
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Allergic Rhinitis
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Breathing in high levels of molecular hydrogen (H2) gas can reduce symptoms and inflammation in mice with allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas inhalation reduced nasal inflammation and lowered pro-inflammatory markers (IL-5, IL-13, and MCP-1) in mice with allergic rhinitis in a dose-dependent manner.
Summary
Researchers tested whether breathing hydrogen gas could help treat allergic rhinitis (a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the nasal passages) in mice. They created an allergic rhinitis model in mice and then exposed some to hydrogen gas at different frequencies and amounts. Hydrogen gas inhalation reduced inflammation in the nasal tissue, lowered levels of inflammatory chemicals in the blood, and improved weight changes in both healthy and allergic mice in a dose-dependent way (meaning higher doses had stronger effects).
Practical Takeaway
This early mouse study suggests hydrogen gas inhalation may have anti-inflammatory effects relevant to allergic rhinitis, but these results cannot yet be applied to humans. Further research in human subjects would be needed to determine whether hydrogen gas could be a useful treatment for allergic rhinitis in people.
Abstract
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common chronic inflammatory condition. It has been previously indicated that oxidative stress may contribute to allergic inflammation, including AR. Although molecular hydrogen (H2), an antioxidative agent, has been effective in treatment of numerous oxidative stress-associated diseases, the effect of inhalation of a high concentration of H2 on AR remains unknown. In the current study, female BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) followed by intranasal OVA challenge to establish an animal model of AR. Mice were subjected to exposure to H2 and the inert gas helium at different frequencies and durations. The frequencies of sneezing/scratching and the body weights of mice were recorded. Histological analysis and multiplex cytokine assays were performed to evaluate the effects of H2 on AR. Challenge with OVA induced significant nasal mucosa inflammation. H2 inhalation reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells into mucosa and lowered the levels of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-13 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in serum. H2 inhalation slightly increased the level of interferon-γ, however the difference was not statistically significant. Treatment with H2 limited the weight increase in healthy mice and reversed the weight loss in mice with AR. Furthermore, H2 inhalation induced a therapeutic effect on AR in a dose-dependent manner. The current results demonstrate that H2 may demonstrate a therapeutic value for allergic diseases.