Hydrogen Gas Inhalation Protects Hearts During Heart Attacks in Rats
Inhalation of hydrogen gas reduces infarct size in the rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury
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
- Kentaro Hayashida, Motoaki Sano, Ikuroh Ohsawa, Ken Shinmura, Kayoko Tamaki, Kensuke Kimura, Jin Endo, Takaharu Katayama, Akio Kawamura, Shun Kohsaka, Shinji Makino, Shigeo Ohta, Satoshi Ogawa, Keiichi Fukuda
- Journal
- Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
- Year
- 2008
- PMID
- 18541148
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- Inhalation of H2 gas at incombustible levels during ischemia and reperfusion
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 476 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas can help protect the heart from damage caused by a heart attack and the subsequent restoration of blood flow.
Key Finding
Inhaled hydrogen gas reduced the size of heart damage in rats experiencing simulated heart attack conditions, without affecting blood pressure or other vital signs.
Summary
Researchers tested whether breathing hydrogen gas could protect rat hearts from damage caused by a heart attack. When blood flow to the heart is blocked and then restored (a common scenario during heart attack treatment), it can cause additional injury. The study found that rats that breathed hydrogen gas during this process had smaller areas of heart damage and their hearts recovered better function, without any negative effects on blood pressure or heart rate.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage animal study suggests hydrogen gas inhalation may help protect heart tissue during heart attacks, but these results are from rats only and much more research—including human trials—would be needed before this could be considered a viable treatment for people. The rapid delivery of hydrogen to damaged heart tissue is theoretically promising, but clinical effectiveness remains unknown.
Abstract (excerpt)
Inhalation of hydrogen (H(2)) gas has been demonstrated to limit the infarct volume of brain and liver by reducing ischemia-reperfusion injury in rodents. When translated into clinical practice, this therapy must be most frequently applied in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial…