Hydrogen Gas Reduces Inflammation in Immune Cells
Heme oxygenase-1 mediates the anti-inflammatory effect of molecular hydrogen in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages
Research hubs: Inflammation · Immune System
This research was done on cells or tissue in a lab, not in people or animals.
- Evidence type
- Laboratory study (cells or tissue)
- Authors
- Hong-Guang Chen, Ke-Liang Xie, Huan-Zhi Han, Wei-Na Wang, Da-Quan Liu, Guo-Lin Wang, Yong-Hao Yu
- Journal
- International Journal of Surgery
- Year
- 2013
- PMID
- 24148794
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Delivery
- Medium (Dissolved)
- Dose
- different concentrations of H2 in culture medium for 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours
- Duration
- 1 day or less
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 121 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in molecular hydrogen gas can help reduce inflammation in immune cells by activating a protective protein.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen reduced pro-inflammatory molecules and increased anti-inflammatory molecules in activated immune cells, with this effect partly dependent on activation of a protein called heme oxygenase-1.
Summary
This laboratory study tested whether molecular hydrogen (H2) could reduce inflammation in immune cells called macrophages that were activated by a bacterial toxin. Researchers found that hydrogen gas reduced inflammatory molecules (TNF-α, IL-1β, HMGB1) while increasing an anti-inflammatory molecule (IL-10). The effect appeared to work through a protein called heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), since blocking this protein partially reversed hydrogen's benefits.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage cell culture study showing hydrogen may have anti-inflammatory potential, but it was conducted only in laboratory cells, not in animals or humans. Much more research would be needed to determine whether these effects translate to health benefits in people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Molecular hydrogen (H2) as a new medical gas has an anti-inflammatory effect. In the present study, we investigated whether heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) contributes to the anti-inflammatory effect of H2 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods: RAW 264.7…