Hydrogen Therapy Protects Lungs After Blood Flow Injury in Mice
Hydrogen alleviates acute lung injury induced by limb ischaemia/reperfusion in mice
Research hubs: Respiratory System · Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Ling Liu, Chao Yang, Tingting Qiu, Xin Shen, Boyan Liu, Xufeng Qi, Guohua Song
- Journal
- Life Sciences
- Year
- 2021
- PMID
- 34052293
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- hydrogen-saturated saline administered by intraperitoneal injection
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 9 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in molecular hydrogen can help protect the lungs from damage after blood flow is restored to a previously blocked limb.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-saturated saline protected mouse lungs from injury caused by limb ischemia/reperfusion by reducing oxidative stress and modulating cellular cleanup processes.
Summary
When blood flow is cut off and then restored to a limb (a condition called ischemia/reperfusion), it can trigger widespread inflammation that damages multiple organs, including the lungs. This mouse study tested whether hydrogen-saturated saline could protect lung tissue from this type of injury. The researchers found that hydrogen reduced harmful molecules in the lungs, boosted the body's natural antioxidant defenses, and reduced excessive cellular cleanup processes that were damaging tissue.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research in mice only, so it cannot yet be applied to humans. The study suggests hydrogen may help prevent organ damage from ischemia/reperfusion injury, but human studies would be needed to determine if this translates to clinical benefit or what dose and delivery method would be effective in people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Aims: Limb ischaemia/reperfusion (LIR) occurs in various clinical conditions including critical limb ischaemia, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and traumatic arterial injury. Reperfusion of the acutely ischemic limb can lead to a systemic inflammation response and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome…