Hydrogen Therapy Shows Promise for Multiple Diseases and Organ Systems

Authors
Journal
Medical Gas Research
Year
DOI
10.4103/2045-9912.344978
Study Type
clinical
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
China
Health Condition
Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Body System
Cardiovascular

TL;DR

Scientists discovered that hydrogen gas might be able to help treat lots of different diseases—like brain problems, bone diseases, and lung issues—because it acts like a cleanup crew that removes harmful stuff in your body. The tricky part now is figuring out how to deliver hydrogen into your body in a way that works steadily over time so it can actually help patients.

Key Finding

Hydrogen gas shows promise as a medical therapy primarily through its ability to selectively reduce harmful oxidative stress in the body, with potential protective effects across multiple organ systems and disease states.

Summary

This is a review article that summarizes research on hydrogen gas (H2) as a potential medical treatment. Scientists believe hydrogen works by reducing harmful molecules called oxidants in the body. Studies have suggested hydrogen may help protect organs from damage during certain medical conditions and may be beneficial for brain, bone, and lung diseases. However, researchers note that better methods are needed to deliver hydrogen consistently to the body for it to work effectively.

Practical Takeaway

While this review indicates hydrogen research is active and shows biological promise, it is a summary of existing studies rather than new evidence. Most research cited appears to be preliminary or animal-based. Anyone interested in hydrogen water should recognize that sustained clinical evidence in humans is still limited, and more rigorous human trials are needed before definitive health claims can be made.

Abstract

Hydrogen (H2) has been widely used in the chemical industry as a reducing agent. As the researches move along, increasing attention has been paid to its biological functions. The selective antioxidant effect of hydrogen is considered to be the main reason for medical applications. So far, many studies have confirmed its potential protective effects on ischemia/reperfusion injury of multiple organs, neurodegenerative diseases, bone and joint diseases, and respiratory diseases, opening a new era in the medical research and application of H2. Increasing studies have focused on its biological effects and molecular mechanisms in the treatment of different diseases. In this paper, we review the biological effects, molecular mechanisms and methods of H2 supply. We do hope that the advances in materials science can be better translated into medical applications and solve clinical problems. The medical application of H2 is promising, and how to prepare an H2 sustained-release system to achieve a sustained and stable H2 supply in the body and ultimately improve the therapeutic effect of H2 is a problem worthy of further investigation.