High-Dose Hydrogen Gas Protects Lungs from Sepsis Damage in Mice
- Authors
- Nan Zhao, Ruiqiang Sun, Yan Cui, Yu Song, Wanjie Ma, Yingning Li, Jing Liang, Guolin Wang, Yonghao Yu, Jiange Han, Keliang Xie
- Journal
- Journal of Personalized Medicine
- Year
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.3390/jpm13020244
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Sepsis
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Breathing in high levels of hydrogen gas can help mice with sepsis survive longer and suffer less damage to their lungs, liver, and kidneys.
Key Finding
Mice with sepsis that inhaled 67% hydrogen gas had significantly improved survival rates and reduced acute lung injury compared to untreated septic mice, with the protective effect linked to reduced oxidative stress and improved mitochondrial function.
Summary
Researchers tested whether breathing high-concentration hydrogen gas could help mice recover from sepsis (a life-threatening infection response). Mice with severe sepsis that inhaled 67% hydrogen gas showed better survival rates, less lung damage, and improvements in liver and kidney function compared to untreated mice. The hydrogen appeared to work by reducing harmful molecules called oxidation products, decreasing inflammatory chemicals, and improving the function of mitochondria (the energy-producing structures inside cells).
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing that high-concentration hydrogen inhalation may help protect lung tissue during severe infection in mice. However, these results are from mice only and have not been tested in humans, so it is unknown whether similar benefits would occur in people with sepsis. Much more research would be needed before hydrogen could be considered a treatment for sepsis in humans.
Abstract
Background: Multiple organ failure (MOF) is the main cause of early death in septic shock. Lungs are among the organs that are affected in MOF, resulting in acute lung injury. A large number of inflammatory factors and stress injury in sepsis can lead to alterations in mitochondrial dynamics. Numerous studies have confirmed that hydrogen can alleviate sepsis in the animal model. The purpose of this experiment was to explore the therapeutic effect of high concentration (67%) hydrogen on acute lung injury in septic mice and its mechanism. Methods: The moderate and severe septic models were prepared by cecal ligation and puncture. Hydrogen with different concentrations was inhaled for one hour at 1 h and 6 h after the corresponding surgery. The arterial blood gas of mice during hydrogen inhalation was monitored in real time, and the 7-day survival rate of mice with sepsis was recorded. The pathological changes of lung tissues and functions of livers and kidneys were measured. The changes of oxidation products, antioxidant enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines in lungs and serums were detected. Mitochondrial function was measured. Results: The inhalation of 2% or 67% hydrogen improves the 7-day survival rate and reduces acute lung injury as well as liver and kidney injury in sepsis. The therapeutic effect of 67% hydrogen inhalation on sepsis was related to increasing antioxidant enzyme activity, reducing oxidation products and pro-inflammatory cytokines in lungs and serums. Compared with the Sham group, mitochondrial dysfunction was alleviated in hydrogen groups. Conclusions: Hydrogen inhalation by high or low concentration can both significantly improve sepsis; however, a high concentration demonstrates a better protective effect. High concentration hydrogen inhalation can significantly improve the mitochondrial dynamic balance and reduce the lung injury in septic mice.