Hydrogen Therapy Reduces Nerve Pain in Rats Through Anti-Inflammatory Effects
H2Treatment Attenuated Pain Behavior and Cytokine Release Through the HO-1/CO Pathway in a Rat Model of Neuropathic Pain
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 (rat)
- Authors
- Yajun Chen, Hongguang Chen, Keliang Xie, Lingling Liu, Yuan Li, Yonghao Yu, Guo-Lin Wang
- Journal
- Inflammation
- Year
- 2015
- PMID
- 25820467
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- 10 mL/kg intraperitoneal injection twice daily for days 1-7 after operation
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 29 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
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…