Hydrogen Therapy Reduces Nerve Pain in Rats Through Anti-Inflammatory Effects
- Authors
- Yajun Chen, Hongguang Chen, Keliang Xie, Lingling Liu, Yuan Li, Yonghao Yu, Guo-Lin Wang
- Journal
- Inflammation
- Year
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1007/s10753-015-0161-x
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Neuropathic Pain
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Hydrogen gas treatment reduces pain and inflammation in rats with nerve injury-related pain.
Key Finding
Hydrogen treatment reduced pain behaviors and inflammatory cytokine levels in rats with neuropathic pain by activating the HO-1/CO signaling pathway.
Summary
Researchers gave hydrogen gas (dissolved in saline) to rats with nerve pain caused by sciatic nerve injury. Hydrogen treatment reduced pain sensitivity and decreased inflammatory molecules (immune signaling chemicals) in nerve tissue. The pain relief appeared to work through a specific biological pathway involving a protein called heme oxygenase-1.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen may have potential for nerve pain, but it is early-stage animal research only. Human studies would be needed to determine if these effects translate to people with neuropathic pain. The study does not establish whether hydrogen water (the form available to consumers) would produce similar results.
Abstract (excerpt)
Neuropathic pain (NP) is characterized by persistent pain, tactile allodynia, or hyperalgesia. Peripheral nerve injury contributes to rapid progress of inflammatory response and simultaneously generates neuropathic pain. Hydrogen (H2) has anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and anti-oxidative stress…