High-Dose Hydrogen Gas Protects Lungs from Sepsis Damage in Mice
High concentration of hydrogen gas alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury via activating Nrf2 signaling pathway in mice
Research hubs: Respiratory System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Ruiqiang Sun, Nan Zhao, Yuzun Wang, Yanchao Su, Jiayan Zhang, Yaoqi Wang, Yonghao Yu, Guolin Wang, Zhen Wang, Keliang Xie
- Journal
- International Immunopharmacology
- Year
- 2021
- PMID
- 34634688
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 1 h inhalation at 1 and 6 h after LPS modeling
- H₂ concentration
- 67% H2 gas
- Duration
- 1 day or less
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 24 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in high concentrations of hydrogen gas can significantly reduce lung damage caused by a bacterial toxin, likely by activating a protective cellular pathway and reducing inflammation and cell death.
Key Finding
High-concentration hydrogen gas (67%) significantly reduced lung injury, inflammation, and cell death in mice exposed to bacterial toxin, but only when the Nrf2 cellular defense pathway was functional.
Summary
Researchers exposed mice to a bacterial toxin (lipopolysaccharide) to create lung injury similar to what happens in severe infections. They then treated some mice by having them breathe high-concentration hydrogen gas (67%) and found it reduced lung damage, inflammation, and cell death. The protective effect appeared to work through a cellular defense mechanism called the Nrf2 pathway, since mice genetically unable to use this pathway did not benefit from the hydrogen treatment.
Practical Takeaway
This mouse study suggests hydrogen gas may help protect lungs during severe infections by activating natural cellular defense mechanisms. However, this is early-stage animal research—human studies would be needed to determine if these results apply to people, and the very high hydrogen concentration used (67%) differs from typical hydrogen water products.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background and aims: The lung is the first organ to fail in sepsis. Our previous studies have proven that 2% molecular hydrogen (H2) inhalation remain a protective effect on a septic animal model via its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis properties. This current research aims to observe…