Hydrogen Gas May Help Liver Surgery Recovery and Quality of Life
- Authors
- Masaki Kaibori, Hisashi Kosaka
- Journal
- Trials
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1186/s13063-021-05697-5
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Neutral
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Liver Disease
- Body System
- Hepatic
TL;DR
This study aims to test whether inhaling hydrogen gas after liver surgery can improve patients' recovery and quality of life.
Key Finding
This is a protocol paper describing a planned clinical trial, not a completed study with results—the actual effectiveness of hydrogen gas inhalation after liver surgery has not yet been tested in this trial.
Summary
This study describes a plan to test whether breathing hydrogen gas after liver surgery can improve patients' quality of life and reduce liver damage. The research will compare patients who breathe hydrogen gas to those who breathe regular air after surgery, measuring their recovery using quality-of-life questionnaires, pain levels, and blood tests that show liver function. The theory is that hydrogen gas may reduce harmful molecules (called reactive oxygen species) that form when blood flow is cut off and then restored during surgery.
Practical Takeaway
While animal studies suggest hydrogen gas may help reduce surgical injury, this trial has not yet been completed or published with results. Anyone considering hydrogen therapy after surgery should wait for the actual findings from this and similar clinical trials before making decisions, and should discuss any experimental treatments with their surgeon.
Abstract (excerpt)
Abstract Introduction Molecular hydrogen had been considered inactive in vivo but is an antioxidant that selectively reduces highly toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). Animal studies have reported that hydrogen gas inhalation helped alleviate cerebral and cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injuries…