Hydrogen Gas Protects Mice from Radiation-Induced Thymus Cancer
- Authors
- Luqian Zhao, Chuanfeng Zhou, Jian Zhang, Fu Gao, Bailong Li, Yunhai Chuai, Cong Liu, Jianming Cai
- Journal
- International Journal of Biological Sciences
- Year
- 2011
- DOI
- 10.7150/ijbs.7.297
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Thymic Lymphoma
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
Hydrogen gas can protect mice from a type of cancer that develops in the thymus gland after exposure to radiation.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas protected mice from developing radiation-induced thymic lymphoma, suggesting it may have radioprotective properties.
Summary
Researchers exposed mice to ionizing radiation (high-energy rays that can damage cells) and found that those given hydrogen gas dissolved in saline were protected from developing thymic lymphoma (a type of cancer in the immune system). This is the first study to show that hydrogen gas may help prevent radiation-induced cancer in mice.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study that does not yet indicate whether hydrogen water would protect humans from radiation exposure. The study was conducted only in mice, and no human trials have been performed. Much more research would be needed before any conclusions could be drawn about hydrogen's protective effects in people.
Abstract
Ionizing radiation (IR) is a well-known carcinogen, however the mechanism of radiation induced thymic lymphoma is not well known. Moreover, an easy and effective method to protect mice from radiation induced thymic lymphoma is still unknown. Hydrogen, or H(2), is seldom regarded as an important agent in medical usage, especially as a therapeutic gas. Here in this study, we found that H(2) protects mice from radiation induced thymic lymphoma in BALB/c mice.