Hydrogen Gas Protected Newborn Brain from Birth Asphyxia in Pigs
Hydrogen is neuroprotective and preserves cerebrovascular reactivity in asphyxiated newborn pigs
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System · Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (pig)
- Authors
- Ferenc Domoki, Orsolya Oláh, Aliz Zimmermann, István Németh, Valéria Tóth-Szűki, Marietta Hugyecz, Péter Temesvári, Ferenc Bari
- Journal
- Pediatric Research
- Year
- 2010
- PMID
- 20657346
- Study Type
- Pig
- Participants
- 31
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 2.1% H2-supplemented room air ventilation for 4 hours following 10 minutes asphyxia
- H₂ concentration
- 2.1% H2 gas
- Duration
- 1 day or less
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 43 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Hungary
TL;DR
Breathing air supplemented with a small amount of hydrogen gas can reduce brain damage and improve blood vessel function in the brains of newborn pigs after a lack of oxygen.
Key Finding
Hydrogen-supplemented ventilation significantly reduced brain cell injury across multiple brain regions and preserved blood vessel function in newborn pigs after oxygen deprivation.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen gas added to breathing air could protect newborn pig brains from damage caused by oxygen deprivation (asphyxia). After 10 minutes without oxygen followed by 4 hours of breathing hydrogen-supplemented air, piglets that received hydrogen showed less brain cell damage across multiple brain regions and better blood vessel function compared to those breathing regular air. The protective effect appears to work by neutralizing harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species that form during oxygen deprivation.
Practical Takeaway
This animal study suggests hydrogen gas may have neuroprotective potential for newborns experiencing asphyxia, but it is a pig study only and does not yet demonstrate safety or effectiveness in humans. Much more research, including human clinical trials, would be needed before this approach could be considered for medical use in newborns.
Abstract (excerpt)
Hydrogen (H2) has been reported to neutralize toxic reactive oxygen species. Oxidative stress is an important mechanism of neuronal damage after perinatal asphyxia. We examined whether 2.1% H2-supplemented room air (H2-RA) ventilation would preserve cerebrovascular reactivity (CR) and brain…