Hydrogen Gas Protects Kidneys from Sleep Apnea-Like Oxygen Loss
Hydrogen protects against chronic intermittent hypoxia induced renal dysfunction by promoting autophagy and alleviating apoptosis
Research hubs: Respiratory System
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Peng Guan, Zhi-Min Sun, Li-Fei Luo, Jian Zhou, Shengchang Yang, Ya-Shuo Zhao, Fu-Yang Yu, Ji-Ren An, Na Wang, En-Sheng Ji
- Journal
- Life Sciences
- Year
- 2019
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.lfs.2019.04.005
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia
- Body System
- Renal
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas helps protect rat kidneys from damage caused by intermittent lack of oxygen.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas inhalation protected rat kidneys from damage caused by chronic intermittent hypoxia by activating cellular cleanup mechanisms and reducing oxidative stress and cell death.
Summary
Researchers exposed rats to repeated cycles of low oxygen (a condition that mimics sleep apnea) and found that inhaling hydrogen gas protected their kidneys from damage. The hydrogen appeared to work by reducing harmful molecules called free radicals, turning on a cellular cleanup process called autophagy, and blocking stress signals that would normally trigger cell death.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen gas may have protective effects on kidney function during conditions involving repeated oxygen deprivation, such as sleep apnea. However, this is early-stage animal research, and it remains unclear whether these results would apply to humans or what dose and delivery method would be relevant. Human studies would be needed before any therapeutic recommendations could be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
Aims Hydrogen gas (H2) has a diversity of effects such as anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. However, molecular mechanism underlying the potential effect of H2 on chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) induced renal injury remains obscure. Materials and methods…