Hydrogen Gas Protects Brain Function During Sepsis in Mice
Hydrogen gas alleviates blood-brain barrier impairment and cognitive dysfunction of septic mice in an Nrf2-dependent pathway
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System · Immune System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Yang Yu, Jingcheng Feng, Naqi Lian, Man Yang, Keliang Xie, Guolin Wang, Chunyan Wang, Yong-Hao Yu
- Journal
- International Immunopharmacology
- Year
- 2020
- PMID
- 32447221
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 2% H2 gas for 60 min starting at 1 h and 6 h after sham or CLP procedure
- H₂ concentration
- 2% H2 gas
- Duration
- 1 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 70 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Inhaling molecular hydrogen helps mice recover from brain damage caused by sepsis, but this benefit depends on a specific protective protein in the body.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas improved survival rates, reduced cognitive dysfunction, and protected the blood-brain barrier in septic mice through an Nrf2-dependent mechanism—but these benefits disappeared in mice genetically lacking functional Nrf2.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen gas could protect mice from cognitive problems caused by sepsis (a life-threatening infection). Researchers gave hydrogen gas to mice with sepsis and found it improved survival, reduced brain swelling, strengthened the blood-brain barrier (the protective layer around the brain), and improved memory and thinking abilities. The protective effects worked through a specific cellular pathway called Nrf2, which helps reduce inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules).
Practical Takeaway
While this mouse study suggests hydrogen gas may protect brain function during severe infection by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, it is an animal-only study and does not directly show whether these effects would occur in humans. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before hydrogen gas could be considered a treatment for sepsis-related cognitive problems.
Abstract (excerpt)
Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a cognitive impairment caused by sepsis and is related to increased morbidity and mortality. Damage to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been proved to be one of the important causes of SAE. Molecular hydrogen (H2) is a promising method for the treatment…