Hydrogen Gas Helps Protect Heart from Damage in Rats
Hydrogen alleviates right ventricular hypertrophy by inhibiting ferroptosis <i>via</i> restoration of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Jun-Cai Bai, Hong-Xiao Yang, Cheng-Chuang Zhan, Lu-Qi Zhao, Jia-Ren Liu, Wei Yang
- Journal
- World Journal of Cardiology
- Year
- 2025
- PMID
- 40575431
- Study Type
- Rat
- Participants
- 30
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 2% H2 gas inhalation for 3 hours daily for 21 days
- H₂ concentration
- 2% H2 gas
- Duration
- 3 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 2 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas can reduce heart muscle thickening in rats by preventing a specific type of cell death related to iron and oxidative stress.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas inhalation reduced right ventricular wall thickness and improved heart function in rats with induced heart chamber enlargement, working by blocking ferroptosis through activation of protective antioxidant pathways.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen gas could help treat right ventricular hypertrophy (enlargement of the heart's right chamber due to pressure overload) in rats. Researchers gave rats hydrogen gas to breathe for 21 days and found that the thickened heart wall became thinner and the heart's pumping ability improved. In lab-grown heart cells, hydrogen also reduced enlargement by blocking a type of cell death called ferroptosis (iron-dependent damage) and activating protective cellular pathways.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage animal study suggests hydrogen gas may have potential for treating certain types of heart enlargement, but results from rat studies do not directly apply to humans. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before hydrogen could be considered a treatment for heart conditions. The study's findings are preliminary and should not be interpreted as medical advice.
Abstract (excerpt)
BACKGROUND Right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH) occurs because of volume or pressure overload within the right ventricular (RV) system. RVH is associated with complex pathological changes, including myocardial cell injury, apoptosis, myocardial fibrosis, neuroendocrine disturbances, and abnormal…