Hydrogen Gas Reduces Lung Inflammation in COPD Rats
Hydrogen regulates the M1/M2 polarization of alveolar macrophages in a rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Research hubs: Respiratory System
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Jing-Chao Su, Yi Zhang, Chen Cheng, Yi-Nan Zhu, Yu-Meng Ye, Yong-Kang Sun, Shui-Ying Xiang, Yuan Wang, Zi-Bing Liu, Xin-Fang Zhang
- Journal
- Experimental Lung Research
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.1080/01902148.2021.1919788
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Body System
- Respiratory
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
TL;DR
Hydrogen gas therapy improved lung function and reduced inflammation in rats with a lung condition similar to COPD by influencing the behavior of immune cells in the lungs.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas treatment improved lung function and reduced inflammation in rats with COPD-like disease by shifting immune cells in the lungs from a pro-inflammatory to an anti-inflammatory state.
Summary
Researchers gave rats with a disease similar to human COPD (a serious lung condition) hydrogen gas to breathe for 2 hours daily over 14 days. They found that hydrogen treatment improved lung function and reduced inflammation by changing how immune cells in the lungs behave—specifically, it shifted these cells from a pro-inflammatory state (which causes damage) to an anti-inflammatory state (which reduces damage). The hydrogen appeared to work by lowering harmful inflammatory chemicals and raising protective ones.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests hydrogen gas may help reduce lung inflammation in COPD through a specific immune mechanism, but it is early-stage research in animals only. Human studies would be needed to determine if these effects occur in people with COPD and whether hydrogen therapy could be a practical treatment option.
Abstract (excerpt)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory disease with high morbidity and mortality worldwide, so far there is no ideal treatment method. Previous studies have shown that hydrogen (H2) is involved in the treatment of COPD as an antioxidant. In this study, the effect of H2…