Hydrogen Gas Reduces Blood Pressure from Sleep Breathing Problems in Rats
Hydrogen gas reduces chronic intermittent hypoxia-induced hypertension by inhibiting sympathetic nerve activity and increasing vasodilator responses via the antioxidation
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System · Brain & Nervous System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Peng Guan, Xiao-Meng Lin, Sheng-Chang Yang, Ya-Jing Guo, Wen-Ya Li, Ya-Shuo Zhao, Fu-Yang Yu, Zhi-Min Sun, Ji-Ren An, En-Sheng Ji
- Journal
- Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
- Year
- 2019
- PMID
- 30259991
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 2 hours/day for 5 weeks
- Duration
- 5 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 20 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing hydrogen gas can lower high blood pressure and improve blood vessel health in rats subjected to conditions that mimic sleep apnea.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas inhalation reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure increases caused by chronic intermittent hypoxia in rats, with improvements linked to reduced oxidative stress and decreased sympathetic nerve activity.
Summary
Researchers exposed rats to repeated cycles of low oxygen levels over 5 weeks, which caused their blood pressure to rise. When these rats also breathed hydrogen gas for 2 hours daily, their blood pressure increases were significantly reduced. The study suggests hydrogen gas may work by reducing harmful molecules called free radicals and calming the nervous system's stress response.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study showing hydrogen gas may help counteract blood pressure rises from low-oxygen conditions. However, the findings are limited to rats, and it's unclear whether these results would apply to humans or to high blood pressure from other causes. More research in humans would be needed before drawing conclusions about hydrogen water's usefulness for managing blood pressure.
Abstract (excerpt)
AbstractMolecular hydrogen is reported to be used medically to ameliorate various systemic pathological conditions. This study aimed to investigate the effect of hydrogen (H2) gas on hypertension induced by intermittent hypoxia in rats. The adult rats were exposed to chronic intermittent hypoxia…