Hydrogen Gas Inhalation During Lung Perfusion in Pig Study
Hydrogen gas inhalation during ex vivo lung perfusion of donor lungs recovered after cardiac death
Research hubs: Respiratory System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (pig)
- Authors
- Seokjin Haam, Jin Gu Lee, Hyo Chae Paik, Moo Suk Park, Beom Jin Lim
- Journal
- The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation
- Year
- 2018
- PMID
- 30100327
- Study Type
- Pig
- Participants
- 10
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 2% hydrogen gas ventilation during 4-hour ex vivo lung perfusion
- H₂ concentration
- 2% H2 gas
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 40 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- South Korea
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas during a special lung treatment before transplant helps improve the function of donated lungs after the donor's heart has stopped beating.
Key Finding
Lungs ventilated with 2% hydrogen gas during preservation showed significantly better function, reduced inflammation and cell death, and less fluid accumulation compared to lungs ventilated with room air, with benefits persisting after transplantation.
Summary
Researchers tested whether adding hydrogen gas to the air used to ventilate donor lungs during preservation could improve their function before transplantation. In a study using pigs, lungs treated with 2% hydrogen gas showed better oxygen exchange, less inflammation, less cell death, and less fluid buildup in the lung tissue compared to lungs treated with regular air. These improvements remained visible even after the lungs were transplanted into recipient animals.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen gas may help preserve donor lungs for transplantation by reducing damage. However, this research has not been tested in humans, and the findings cannot yet be applied to hydrogen water or other consumer hydrogen products. Much more research would be needed to determine if this approach could benefit transplant patients.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) is a system that circulates normothermic perfusate into procured lungs, allowing for improved lung function and lung assessment. We investigated whether ventilation with hydrogen gas during EVLP improves the donation after cardiac death lung function…