Hydrogen Gas and Post-Stroke Depression in Mice: Gender Differences
Gender-based differences in neuroprotective effects of hydrogen gas against intracerebral hemorrhage-induced depression
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Ping An, Xiao-Chun Zhao, Man-Jia Liu, Yu-Qing You, Jing-Ya Li
- Journal
- Neurochemistry International
- Year
- 2022
- PMID
- 34995727
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 2.9% H2 for 2 hours daily for 3 days post-ICH
- H₂ concentration
- 2.9% H2
- Duration
- 30 days
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 11 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Estrogen appears to enhance the brain-protective effects of hydrogen gas treatment in male mice recovering from a type of stroke that causes brain bleeding and depression.
Key Finding
Estrogen enhanced the neuroprotective effects of hydrogen gas in male mice with brain hemorrhage-induced depression, while female mice showed greater baseline sensitivity to hydrogen gas treatment.
Summary
This mouse study investigated whether hydrogen gas could help reduce depression-like symptoms after a type of brain bleeding called intracerebral hemorrhage. Researchers found that hydrogen gas worked better in female mice naturally, but when they gave male mice estrogen (a hormone), it made hydrogen gas work much better in them too. The improvement appeared to involve reducing brain inflammation and harmful molecules called free radicals.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage mouse study suggests that sex hormones may influence how effectively hydrogen gas protects the brain after certain types of injury, which could eventually inform personalized treatment approaches. However, this is animal research only, and it remains unclear whether these findings would apply to humans or how they might translate to clinical use.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) severely affects recovery in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Although hydrogen gas (H2) exerts excellent neuroprotective effects in patients with ICH, there are sex-based differences in H2 efficacy in several diseases. Herein, we determined…