Hydrogen Therapy Improves Heart Function in Heart Failure Patients
- Authors
- A. V. Deryugina, D. A. Danilova, A. A. Skokova, Yu. D. Brichkin, V. V. Pichugin, A. P. Medvedev, M. V. Ryazanov, S. A. Fedorov
- Journal
- Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine
- Year
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10517-022-05595-z
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Russia
- Health Condition
- Chronic Heart Failure
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Breathing in molecular hydrogen gas can help reduce cell damage and improve energy production in the blood cells of people with chronic heart failure.
Key Finding
Inhaling molecular hydrogen gas reduced oxidative stress (cellular damage from harmful molecules) in red blood cells and increased their energy production and protective enzyme activity in people with chronic heart failure.
Summary
Researchers tested whether breathing hydrogen gas affects red blood cells in people with chronic heart failure (a condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively). They found that inhaling 2% hydrogen gas for 40 minutes increased energy production in red blood cells, reduced harmful molecules called free radicals, and boosted protective enzymes. These changes were stronger when people breathed hydrogen repeatedly over 5 days compared to a single session.
Practical Takeaway
This small human study suggests hydrogen gas inhalation may help protect red blood cells in heart failure patients, but the study did not report sample size or duration details, making it difficult to assess the strength of the findings. Larger, well-designed clinical trials would be needed to confirm whether these cellular improvements translate to meaningful health benefits for heart failure patients.
Abstract
We studied the effect of molecular hydrogen (H2) on the content of 2,3-diphosphoglyceric acid (2,3-DPG), ATP, malondialdehyde, and catalase activity in erythrocytes in chronic heart failure. Inhalation of 2% molecular hydrogen H2 was carried out for 40 min repeatedly (5 days) or once. Inhalation of H2 caused an increase in ATP concentration in both research groups, but was more pronounced after repeated inhalation. The content of 2,3-DPG increased after repeated exposure to H2. The increase in metabolic activity under the effect of H2 was accompanied by a decrease in malondialdehyde concentration and an increase in catalase activity. Thus, the application of H2 in chronic heart failure reduced oxidative stress and improved metabolism of erythrocytes, which contributes to improvement of microcirculation. This allows us to recommend H2 for protection against ischemic and reperfusion damage to the myocardium.