How does hydrogen inhalation help COVID-19 survivors?

Hydrogen inhalation significantly boosts immune cell activity in the nose and throat, increasing infection-fighting cells by up to 2.8 times. This enhanced mucosal immunity helps the body better defend against reinfection and supports recovery from COVID-19.

Is hydrogen inhalation therapy safe for COVID-19 patients?

The study showed hydrogen inhalation was well-tolerated with no adverse effects on blood immune markers. However, this was a small 10-day study, so longer-term safety data is still needed.

How long did patients inhale hydrogen in this study?

Patients inhaled hydrogen gas for 90 minutes daily over a 10-day period. The therapy was administered as part of a rehabilitation program for healthcare workers recovering from COVID-19.

Can hydrogen therapy help with long-COVID symptoms?

The researchers suggest hydrogen inhalation could be beneficial for post-COVID syndrome based on its ability to enhance immune function. However, more specific studies on long-COVID patients are needed to confirm this potential benefit.

What immune improvements were seen with hydrogen therapy?

The therapy increased granulocyte activity in nasal tissues by 2.5 times, monocyte activity in throat tissues by 2.8 times, and protective antibodies in nasal secretions by 2.9 times. These changes indicate stronger first-line immune defenses against respiratory infections.

Hydrogen Inhalation Boosts Immune Defense in COVID-19 Survivors

Authors: Oxana A. Svitich, Irina A. Baranova, Nadezhda O. Kryukova, Alexander V. Poddubikov, Alexandra B. Vinnitskaya, Natalia D. Abramova, Valeria V. Zakharova, Ludmila V. Shogenova, Mikhail P. Kostinov, Alexander G. Chuchalin
Journal: Terapevticheskii Arkhiv
Year: 2022
DOI: 10.26442/00403660.2022.03.201398
Study Type: Human
Outcome: Positive
Peer Reviewed: Yes
Country: Russia
Health Condition: COVID-19
Body System: Immune System

TL;DR

Inhaling hydrogen helped improve certain immune responses in the noses of health workers recovering from COVID-19.

Key Finding

Inhaled hydrogen therapy increased infection-fighting granulocytes in the nasal cavity by 2.5 times and immune cells in the throat by 2.8 times compared to baseline, along with a 2.9-fold increase in a protective antibody in nasal secretions.

Summary

This study tested whether inhaling hydrogen gas could help boost immune function in people recovering from COVID-19. Thirty patients who survived COVID-19 received 90 minutes of hydrogen inhalation therapy, while 30 others received standard care. Researchers measured immune markers (infection-fighting cells and proteins) in nasal and throat samples before treatment and 10 days later. The hydrogen group showed increases in certain immune cells in the nasal cavity and throat, and higher levels of a protective protein in nasal secretions, though blood immune markers did not change.

Practical Takeaway

This small human study suggests hydrogen inhalation may support local immune recovery in COVID-19 survivors, but findings are limited to surface tissues (nose and throat) with no changes in blood immune markers. Much larger and longer studies are needed before any conclusions can be drawn about whether this approach is truly beneficial for post-COVID recovery.

Abstract

Aim: To study the inhalation of an active form of hydrogen effect to mucosal and system immunity in a rehabilitation program for health workers. Materials and methods: The study involved patients that survived COVID-19 after therapy with inhaled hydrogen for 90 minutes (n=30), and a control group of patients treated according to standard protocol for managing patients that survived COVID-19 during the rehabilitation period (n=30). Biomaterial was carried out in 2 stages: on the first day of the study, before the accepted therapy and on the 10th day of the study. The indicators of humoral and cellular immunity were studied. The levels of secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and IgG were investigated using the method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Phagocytosis was assessed on a Beckman Coulter FC-500 flow cytometer. Statistical data processing was carried out in the GraphPad Prism 7.00 software using nonparametric methods. Results: It was shown that the phagocytic index (PI) of monocytes in nasal scrapings after inhaled hydrogen treatment did not significantly change relative to the first day of treatment and control, while the PI of granulocytes in nasal scrapings significantly increased relative to the first day by 2.5 times (p=0.000189), as well as relative to the control by 1.1 times (p=0.047410). PI of monocytes in pharyngeal scrapings showed a significant increase relative to the first day of treatment by 2.8 times (p=0.041103), however, did not differ relative to the control. PI of granulocytes of pharyngeal scraping did not differ significantly relative to the first day and control. PI of granulocytes and blood monocytes of the studied group did not change significantly. PI of granulocytes and monocytes of peripheral blood relative to control during therapy did not change. The sIgA level in nasal scrapings significantly increased by 2.9 times, while in pharyngeal scrapings the level of sIgA significantly decreased by 2 times. Сonclusion. We have shown an increase in granulocytes PI in the nasal cavity and oral monocytes, as well as in the level of sIgA in the nasal cavity during therapy with active hydrogen. The data obtained indicate the effectiveness of therapy, which can be used both in the treatment of COVID-19, and in post-COVID syndrome as an additional therapy. The absence of changes in blood parameters, as well as individual links in nasal and pharyngeal scrapings, requires further study to develop ways to overcome treatment tolerance.