Hydrogen Therapy Could Be New Treatment for COPD Lung Disease
- Authors
- Shu-Lin Liu, Kan Liu, Qiang Sun, Wen-Wu Liu, Heng-Yi Tao, Xue-Jun Sun
- Journal
- Frontiers in Pharmacology
- Year
- 2011
- DOI
- 10.3389/fphar.2011.00019
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Body System
- respiratory system
TL;DR
Scientists think breathing hydrogen gas might help treat a lung disease called COPD because hydrogen is really good at getting rid of harmful chemicals in your body that damage your lungs. This could be a new way to help people with COPD breathe better.
Key Finding
The authors hypothesize that hydrogen therapy could treat COPD by eliminating harmful free radicals that contribute to the disease, but no actual study results are presented.
Summary
This paper proposes that hydrogen gas might help treat COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), a serious lung condition. The authors explain that COPD involves an imbalance of harmful molecules called free radicals in the body, and they suggest that hydrogen's ability to neutralize these harmful molecules could make it a useful treatment. However, this is a theoretical proposal rather than a study with actual results.
Practical Takeaway
This is a proposal for future research, not a completed study with findings. No clinical evidence is provided to support hydrogen therapy for COPD at this time. Anyone with COPD should continue following their doctor's established treatment plans rather than relying on this theoretical suggestion.
Abstract
The protective effect of hydrogen (H(2)) on ROS-induced diseases has been proved by many researches, which demonstrated that through eliminating •OH and •ONOO-, H(2) could effectively attenuate lipid and DNA peroxidation, improve cellular antioxidant capacity, and then protect cells against oxidant damage. Most of free radicals in human body are ROS, including O(2)•-,•OH, H(2)O(2), NO•,•ONOO-, and so on. Under normal circumstances cells are able to maintain an adequate homeostasis between the formation and removal of ROS through particular enzymatic pathways or antioxidants. But under some pathological conditions, the balance is disturbed, leading to oxidative stress and various diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Studies have shown that ROS played a pivotal role in the development of COPD and some antioxidants were effective in the protection against the damaging effects of oxidative stress. Therefore, we hypothesize that owing to its peculiarity to eliminate toxic ROS, hydrogen therapy may be a novel and effective treatment for COPD.