Hydrogen Gas Protects Against Sepsis and Organ Failure in Mice
Hydrogen Gas Improves Survival Rate and Organ Damage in Zymosan-Induced Generalized Inflammation Model
Research hubs: Immune System · Respiratory System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Ke-Liang Xie, Yonghao Yu, Zishen Zhang, Wenbo Liu, Yuping Pei, Lize Xiong, Lichao Hou, Guo-Lin Wang
- Journal
- Shock
- Year
- 2010
- PMID
- 20351628
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 2% H2 inhalation for 60 min starting at 1 and 6 h after zymosan injection
- H₂ concentration
- 2% H2 gas
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 113 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas can significantly increase survival rates and reduce organ damage in mice with severe inflammation.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas inhalation increased survival rates from 10% to 70% in mice with severe inflammation and reduced damage to multiple organs.
Summary
This study tested whether breathing hydrogen gas could help mice survive a severe inflammatory condition similar to sepsis (a life-threatening infection response). Researchers injected mice with a substance to trigger widespread inflammation, then had some mice breathe 2% hydrogen gas for one hour. Mice that received hydrogen gas had much higher survival rates (70% versus 10%) and showed less damage to their lungs, liver, and kidneys compared to untreated mice.
Practical Takeaway
While these results are promising, this study was conducted only in mice, not humans. The findings suggest hydrogen gas may have protective effects against severe inflammatory conditions, but much more research—including human trials—would be needed before any therapeutic use could be considered for sepsis or organ damage in patients.
Abstract (excerpt)
Sepsis/multiple organ dysfunction syndrome is the leading cause of death in critically ill patients. Recently, it has been suggested that hydrogen gas (H2) exerts a therapeutic antioxidant activity by selectively reducing hydroxyl radical (•OH, the most cytotoxic reactive oxygen species). We have…