Hydrogen Gas Protects Lungs After Blood Loss and Resuscitation
- Authors
- Keisuke Kohama, Hayato Yamashita, Michiko Aoyama-Ishikawa, Toru Takahashi, Timothy R. Billiar, Takeshi Nishimura, Joji Kotani, Atsunori Nakao
- Journal
- Surgery
- Year
- 2015
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.surg.2015.03.038
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Acute Lung Injury
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas can reduce lung damage and inflammation caused by shock and fluid resuscitation in rats.
Key Finding
Inhaled hydrogen gas (1.3%) significantly reduced acute lung injury in rats after hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation by improving oxygen exchange and reducing inflammation and bleeding in the lungs.
Summary
This study tested whether inhaled hydrogen gas could protect rat lungs from injury caused by severe bleeding followed by fluid resuscitation. Researchers induced hemorrhagic shock in rats, then gave them hydrogen gas to breathe while monitoring lung function. Hydrogen inhalation improved oxygen exchange in the lungs, reduced fluid buildup and bleeding, and lowered inflammatory markers (chemical signals that trigger swelling and damage).
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage animal research showing hydrogen gas may help protect lungs during severe trauma and blood loss. However, this was a rat study with no human trials yet, so it's unclear whether these results would apply to people or what dose and delivery method would be safe and effective in humans.
Abstract
Hemorrhagic shock followed by fluid resuscitation (HS/R) triggers an inflammatory response and causes pulmonary inflammation that can lead to acute lung injury (ALI). Hydrogen, a therapeutic gas, has potent cytoprotective, antiinflammatory, and antioxidant effects. This study examined the effects of inhaled hydrogen on ALI caused by HS/R. Rats were subjected to hemorrhagic shock by withdrawing blood to lower blood pressure followed by resuscitation with shed blood and saline to restore blood pressure. After HS/R, the rats were maintained in a control gas of similar composition to room air or exposed to 1.3% hydrogen. HS/R induced ALI, as demonstrated by significantly impaired gas exchange, congestion, edema, cellular infiltration, and hemorrhage in the lungs. Hydrogen inhalation mitigated lung injury after HS/R, as indicated by significantly improved gas exchange and reduced cellular infiltration and hemorrhage. Hydrogen inhalation did not affect hemodynamic status during HS/R. Exposure to 1.3% hydrogen significantly attenuated the upregulation of the messenger RNAs for several proinflammatory mediators induced by HS/R. Lipid peroxidation was reduced significantly in the presence of hydrogen, indicating antioxidant effects. Hydrogen, administered through inhalation, may exert potent therapeutic effects against ALI induced by HS/R and attenuate the activation of inflammatory cascades. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.