Hydrogen Gas Reduced Hearing Loss from Cisplatin in Guinea Pigs
Hydrogen Inhalation Protects against Ototoxicity Induced by Intravenous Cisplatin in the Guinea Pig
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (guinea pig)
- Authors
- Anette E. Fransson, Marta Kisiel, Kristian Pirttilä, Curt Pettersson, Pernilla Videhult Pierre, Göran F. E. Laurell
- Journal
- Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 28955207
- Study Type
- Guinea Pig
- Participants
- 34
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 2% H2 in air, 60 minutes, immediately after cisplatin injection
- H₂ concentration
- 2% H2 gas
- Duration
- 4 days
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 42 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Sweden
TL;DR
Inhaling hydrogen gas can lessen the hearing damage and tinnitus caused by the cancer drug cisplatin in guinea pigs.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas inhalation reduced cisplatin-induced hearing damage in guinea pigs across multiple measures, including hearing thresholds, inner ear cell loss, and nerve cell connections.
Summary
This study tested whether breathing hydrogen gas could protect guinea pigs' hearing from damage caused by cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug known to cause hearing loss and ringing in the ears. Researchers gave some guinea pigs cisplatin alone, while others received cisplatin followed by 60 minutes of breathing hydrogen gas (2% hydrogen mixed with air). The guinea pigs that received hydrogen gas showed significantly less hearing damage, fewer lost inner ear cells, and better preservation of connections between nerve cells compared to those receiving cisplatin alone.
Practical Takeaway
While this preclinical study in guinea pigs suggests hydrogen gas may help protect hearing during cisplatin chemotherapy, it is too early to draw conclusions for humans. The researchers note that further studies are needed to confirm these findings in people and to ensure hydrogen doesn't interfere with cisplatin's cancer-fighting effectiveness. Anyone undergoing cisplatin treatment should discuss hearing protection options only with their oncology team.
Abstract (excerpt)
Introduction: Permanent hearing loss and tinnitus as side-effects from treatment with the anticancer drug cisplatin is a clinical problem. Ototoxicity may be reduced by co-administration of an otoprotective agent, but the results in humans have so far been modest. Aim: The present preclinical…