Smart Hydrogel Device Delivers Hydrogen Gas to Protect Tissues from Injury
Hydrogen evolution and dynamics in hydrogel electrochemical cells for ischemia-reperfusion therapy
Research hubs: Oxidative Stress · Cardiovascular System · Skin & Dermatology System
- Authors
- Wen Li, Jing Zhang, Romain Nith, Jiping Yue, Ananth Kamath, Chuanwang Yang, Chen Wei, Brennan Lee, Pengju Li, Hsiu-Ming Tsai, Tiantian Guo, Changxu Sun, Saehyun Kim, Lewis L Shi, Pedro Lopes, Lihua Jin, Bozhi Tian
- Journal
- Nature Chemical Engineering
- Year
- 2026
- PMID
- 42375831
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Delivery
- Gas (Sustained Release)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 14 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
A portable hydrogel device generated hydrogen locally and protected heart, skin, and cultured cells from ischemia-reperfusion injury in preclinical models.
Key Finding
A hydrogel electrochemical device that produces hydrogen gas on-site showed protective effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury in heart and skin tissues across laboratory, isolated organ, and animal studies.
Summary
Researchers developed a small, portable device made of hydrogel (a gel-like material) that produces hydrogen gas on demand through an electrical process. The device delivers hydrogen directly to damaged tissue, which may help protect cells from injury that occurs when blood flow is cut off and then restored (called ischemia-reperfusion injury). The team tested this device in lab dishes with heart and skin cells, in isolated hearts, and in skin wounds in animals, and found it protected tissues from damage.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research in animals and lab settings, not yet tested in humans. The device represents a novel approach to hydrogen delivery that differs from hydrogen water or gas inhalation, but its real-world therapeutic value for human patients remains unknown. More research, including human trials, would be needed before any health claims could be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
Molecular hydrogen (H2) protects organs from reactive oxygen species damage associated with ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Existing H2 delivery methods, such as gas inhalation and H2-rich water consumption, target the entire body and experience leakage during administration. Here we engineer…