Hydrogen Gas Protects Lungs from Sepsis-Related Damage in Lab Study
Hydrogen prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell injury by inhibiting store-operated Ca2+ entry regulated by STIM1/Orai1
Research hubs: Respiratory System · Cardiovascular System
- Authors
- Yuan Li, Hongguang Chen, Ruichen Shu, Xuan Zhang, Guiyue Wang, Yiqing Yin
- Journal
- Shock
- Year
- 2023
- PMID
- 38010088
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Delivery
- Medium (Dissolved)
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 9 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen gas treatment helps reduce lung damage and improves the health of lung blood vessel cells in sepsis by managing calcium levels within the cells.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas reduced calcium-related damage to lung blood vessel cells by blocking the STIM1/Orai1 calcium channel pathway, preserving the cells' protective barrier function in sepsis-like conditions.
Summary
This study investigated how hydrogen gas protects lung cells from damage caused by bacterial toxins (lipopolysaccharides) that mimic sepsis, a life-threatening infection response. Researchers found that hydrogen gas reduced harmful calcium buildup inside lung blood vessel cells by blocking specific calcium channels (STIM1 and Orai1), which helped preserve the cells' barrier function and reduced lung fluid accumulation in both laboratory cell cultures and mice.
Practical Takeaway
This early laboratory and animal study suggests hydrogen may have potential protective effects against sepsis-related lung injury through a specific cellular mechanism. However, these results are from cell cultures and mice only—human studies are needed to determine whether hydrogen water or gas would have similar effects in people with sepsis or acute lung injury.
Abstract (excerpt)
ABSTRACT Background: Sepsis is a type of life-threatening organ dysfunction that is caused by a dysregulated host response to infection. The lung is the most vulnerable target organ under septic conditions. Pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) play a critical role in acute lung injury…