Hydrogen Gas Shows Promise as Stroke Recovery Treatment
- Authors
- He Li, Yin Luo, Pengfei Yang, Jianmin Liu
- Journal
- Journal of Neurological Sciences
- Year
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.jns.2018.11.004
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Ischemic Stroke
- Body System
- Nervous System
TL;DR
Scientists found that hydrogen gas might help treat strokes by cleaning up harmful chemicals in the brain and reducing swelling, which could give doctors a longer window to help stroke patients and improve their chances of recovery.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas appears to work against ischemic stroke by eliminating harmful free radicals and reducing inflammation and cell death in brain tissue.
Summary
This review examined research on using hydrogen gas as an additional treatment for ischemic stroke (a type of stroke caused by blood clots). Researchers found that hydrogen gas may help by reducing harmful molecules called free radicals and by decreasing inflammation and cell death in the brain. The review looked at both laboratory studies and clinical trials to understand how hydrogen therapy works and whether it could help stroke patients.
Practical Takeaway
This is a review of existing research rather than a new study, so it summarizes potential benefits without providing definitive evidence. Most studies reviewed appear to be laboratory-based rather than large human trials. While early evidence suggests hydrogen therapy warrants further investigation as a complementary stroke treatment, much more clinical research in humans is needed before any health recommendations can be made.
Abstract
Ischemic stroke is one of the most common sources of mortality in the world. Researchers have been trying to find a complementary therapy to treat ischemic stroke in order to improve its prognosis and expand the therapeutic window for reperfusion treatment. For this reason, many experimental and clinical trials studying the effects of hydrogen against ischemic stroke have been published. Hydrogen gas has been found to eliminate hydroxyl free radical and peroxynitrite anions as well as producing therapeutic effect in patients with ischemic stroke. Many studies have been published illustrating its anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. The purpose of this article is to review the literature concerning treatment of cerebral I/R injury or ischemic stroke with hydrogen therapy. Specifically, we will examine the appropriate laboratory methods, mechanisms of hydrogen therapy, and outcomes of relevant clinical trials. We conclude this review with a discussion on future investigations of hydrogen therapy to treat ischemic stroke.