Hydrogen Gas Shows Promise for Treating Kawasaki Disease and COVID-19
- Authors
- Kuang-Den Chen, Wen-Chang Lin, Ho-Chang Kuo
- Journal
- Chemical Research in Toxicology
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1021/acs.chemrestox.0c00456
- Study Type
- clinical
- Outcome
- positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Taiwan
- Health Condition
- Kawasaki Disease
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Scientists found that breathing in hydrogen gas might help treat two serious diseases that cause dangerous inflammation in the body—Kawasaki disease, which affects kids' hearts, and COVID-19. Hydrogen gas acts like a superhero cleaner that reduces harmful inflammation and damage in blood vessels, which is why doctors think it could be a useful new treatment option.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that theoretically could benefit conditions involving blood vessel inflammation, such as Kawasaki disease and COVID-19-related inflammatory syndromes in children.
Summary
This review article examines how molecular hydrogen (hydrogen gas) might help treat Kawasaki disease, a serious inflammation of blood vessels that affects children's hearts, and COVID-19-related inflammatory conditions. The authors explain that hydrogen gas acts as an antioxidant (a substance that reduces harmful chemical damage in the body) and may help reduce inflammation, cell death, and abnormal blood vessel swelling based on biochemical research.
Practical Takeaway
This is a review article summarizing existing research rather than a new clinical study, and it does not present human trial data. While the theoretical basis for hydrogen's anti-inflammatory effects is discussed, there is currently no human evidence that hydrogen gas inhalation effectively treats Kawasaki disease or COVID-19. Anyone considering hydrogen therapy for these serious conditions should consult their physician, as these diseases require established medical treatment.
Abstract (excerpt)
Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis and is the most commonly acquired heart disease among children in many countries, which was first reported 50 years ago in Japan. The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)) has been a pandemic…