Hydrogen Supplement Protects Heart from Chemotherapy Damage in Mouse Study
HydroMg attenuates doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury via promoting mitochondrial function
Research hubs: Oxidative Stress · Cardiovascular System
- Authors
- Lu Zhang, Yawei Jin, Yuning Zhang, Mohan Li, Xiong Gao, Bin Ma, Xiaonan Ning, Aijun Sun, Wenjiang Ding, Zhiguang Ding, Xiurui Ma, Xiaolei Sun, Jian An
- Journal
- Medical Gas Research
- Year
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.4103/mgr.MEDGASRES-D-25-00179
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
A sustained-release hydrogen donor reduced doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury in cells and mice.
Key Finding
Mice receiving 100 mg/kg HydroMg alongside doxorubicin had 35.7% lower mortality and a 12.44% improvement in how well their hearts pumped blood compared to mice given doxorubicin alone.
Summary
This study tested HydroMg, a material that slowly releases molecular hydrogen in the body, to see if it could protect heart cells from damage caused by doxorubicin — a common chemotherapy drug known to harm the heart. Researchers first tested HydroMg on heart cells in a lab dish, then gave it to mice receiving doxorubicin. They found that HydroMg reduced cell death, lowered harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (unstable molecules that damage cells), and helped restore normal heart function in mice.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage research suggests that sustained-release hydrogen donors like HydroMg may help protect the heart during certain types of chemotherapy, but the study was conducted only in lab cells and mice — not humans. No conclusions about human benefit can be drawn yet. People undergoing chemotherapy should consult their oncologist before considering any hydrogen-based supplement.
Abstract (excerpt)
In contrast to molecular hydrogen's intrinsic limitations, HydroMg's structural optimization shortens gastrointestinal transit, reducing hydrogen dissipation while enhancing cellular bioavailability. However, it remains unclear whether it also provides protection against cardiac injury. Here, we…