Hydrogen Protected Skin from Radiation Damage in Rats
Hydrogen protects rats from dermatitis caused by local radiation
Research hubs: Skin & Dermatology System · Immune System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Ke Mei, Sanhu Zhao, Liren Qian, Bailong Li, Jin Ni, Jianming Cai
- Journal
- Journal of Dermatological Treatment
- Year
- 2013
- PMID
- 23273331
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Saline (Dissolved)
- Dose
- subcutaneous injection of hydrogen solution before irradiation
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 36 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen treatment can reduce skin damage and speed up healing in mice after radiation therapy, but it's less effective at very high radiation doses.
Key Finding
Hydrogen injections significantly reduced the severity of radiation-induced skin damage in mice and accelerated tissue recovery after moderate-dose radiation exposure.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen could protect mouse skin from damage caused by radiation therapy. Mice received radiation to their head and neck area, with some receiving injections of hydrogen solution beforehand. Hydrogen significantly reduced skin damage severity, helped tissue heal faster, and reduced weight loss in mice exposed to moderate radiation doses, though it was less effective at the highest dose tested. The findings suggest hydrogen may help prevent radiation-induced skin injuries in cancer patients.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage animal study suggests hydrogen may have protective potential against radiation-induced skin damage, but much more research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn for human use. The study was conducted in mice, not humans, and the protective effect appeared to depend on the radiation dose used, so effectiveness in actual cancer patients remains unknown.
Abstract (excerpt)
Abstract Background: Radiation therapy produced unwanted side effect on normal tissues, such as radiodermatitis. Hydrogen was previously shown capable of radiation protective in both animals and cell cultures. The effect of hydrogen was now to be investigated on radiation-induced cutaneous…