Hydrogen Gas Protects Hearts from Chronic Failure in Rats
Inhalation of Hydrogen Attenuates Progression of Chronic Heart Failure via Suppression of Oxidative Stress and P53 Related to Apoptosis Pathway in Rats
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Jing Chi, Zizhuo Li, Xiaojian Hong, Tong Zhao, Yueyue Bie, Wen Zhang, Jiaxing Yang, Ziming Feng, Zhouqi Yu, Qiannan Xu, Luqi Zhao, Weifan Liu, Yunan Gao, Hongxiao Yang, Jiemei Yang, Jiaren Liu, Wei Yang
- Journal
- Frontiers in Physiology
- Year
- 2018
- PMID
- 30108516
- Study Type
- Rat
- Participants
- 60
- Delivery
- Gas
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 28 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in molecular hydrogen (H2) gas helps delay the worsening of chronic heart failure in rats by protecting the heart from oxidative stress and cell death.
Key Finding
Inhaling hydrogen gas improved heart function and reduced oxidative stress and cell death in rats with chronic heart failure, with the protective effect linked to suppression of the p53 protein.
Summary
This study tested whether inhaling hydrogen gas could help rats with chronic heart failure (a condition where the heart weakens and can't pump blood effectively). Researchers found that rats breathing hydrogen gas showed improved heart function and had less cellular damage from oxidative stress (harmful molecules that damage cells) and apoptosis (programmed cell death). The protective effect appeared to work by reducing activity of a protein called p53 that triggers cell death.
Practical Takeaway
While this rat study suggests hydrogen inhalation may have protective effects against heart failure progression, it is not yet evidence that this would work in humans. The study was conducted only in animals, so results cannot be directly applied to human health. More research, including human trials, would be needed before hydrogen therapy could be considered a viable treatment for heart failure.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Continuous damage from oxidative stress and apoptosis are the important mechanisms that facilitate chronic heart failure (CHF). Molecular hydrogen (H2) has potentiality in the aspects of anti-oxidation. The objectives of this study were to investigate the possible mechanism of H2…