Hydrogen Gas Reduces Brain Swelling After Brain Tumor Surgery
- Authors
- Fan Wu, Tao Liang, Yang Liu, Baoguo Wang
- Journal
- Frontiers in Neurology
- Year
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.3389/fneur.2024.1413904
- Study Type
- Human
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Brain Edema
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Inhaling hydrogen gas can reduce brain swelling and improve sleep after brain tumor surgery.
Key Finding
Patients who inhaled hydrogen gas after glioma surgery had significantly less brain swelling and faster swelling recovery compared to those who received oxygen alone.
Summary
This study tested whether breathing hydrogen gas could help reduce brain swelling (edema) that occurs after surgery to remove brain tumors called gliomas. Patients who inhaled hydrogen gas had less brain swelling before leaving the hospital, faster swelling reduction, better sleep, and lower pain scores compared to patients who breathed oxygen alone.
Practical Takeaway
This single-center study suggests hydrogen inhalation may help reduce a serious complication of brain tumor surgery, though the study size and duration were not reported, making it difficult to assess how broadly these results apply. More research is needed to confirm these findings and understand how hydrogen produces these effects. This remains early-stage evidence and should not be considered a proven treatment without further validation.
Abstract
Introduction: Brain edema is a life-threatening complication that occurs after glioma surgery. There are no noninvasive and specific treatment methods for brain edema. Hydrogen is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant gas that has demonstrated therapeutic and preventative effects on several diseases, particularly in the nervous system. This study aimed to determine the therapeutic effects of hydrogen administration on brain edema following glioma surgery and elucidate its mechanism. Methods: A single-center, randomized controlled clinical trial of hydrogen inhalation was conducted (China Clinical Trial Registry [ChiCTR-2300074362]). Participants in hydrogen (H) group that inhaled hydrogen experienced quicker alleviation of postoperative brain edema compared with participants in control (C) group that inhaled oxygen. Results: The volume of brain edema before discharge was significantly lower in the H group (p < 0.05). Additionally, the regression rate of brain edema was higher in the H group than in the C group, which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 3 days after surgery, the H group had longer total sleep duration, improved sleep efficiency, shorter sleep latency, and lower numerical rating scale (NRS) scores (p < 0.05). Discussion: In conclusion, hydrogen/oxygen inhalation effectively reduced postoperative brain edema in glioma patients. Further research is necessary to understand the underlying mechanisms of hydrogen's therapeutic effects. Hydrogen is expected to become a new target for future adjuvant therapy for brain edema.