Hydrogen Gas Protects Brain Function After Sepsis in Mice
Molecular hydrogen alleviates brain injury and cognitive impairment in a chronic sequelae model of murine polymicrobial sepsis
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System · Immune System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Yi Jiang, Kai Zhang, Yang Yu, Yaoqi Wang, Naqi Lian, Keliang Xie, Yong-Hao Yu
- Journal
- Experimental Brain Research
- Year
- 2020
- PMID
- 33052428
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 2% H2 inhaled for 60 min at 1 h and 6 h after SAE treatment
- H₂ concentration
- 2% H2 gas
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 17 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Inhaling hydrogen gas can help reduce brain damage and improve brain function in mice with sepsis-related brain injuries.
Key Finding
In mice with sepsis-induced brain injury, inhaling 2% hydrogen gas improved survival rates, reduced cognitive impairment, and decreased brain damage markers compared to untreated septic mice.
Summary
This study tested whether inhaling hydrogen gas could protect the brains of mice with sepsis (a severe infection). Researchers gave mice either a placebo or 2% hydrogen gas to breathe after inducing sepsis, then measured survival rates, memory and learning ability, and markers of brain damage. Mice that received hydrogen gas had better survival rates, performed better on memory tests, showed less brain tissue damage, and had lower levels of inflammatory chemicals in their brains compared to mice that didn't receive hydrogen.
Practical Takeaway
While this mouse study suggests hydrogen gas may help protect the brain during severe infection, it is important to note this was conducted only in animals and has not been tested in humans. Much more research, including human clinical trials, would be needed before hydrogen therapy could be considered a treatment for sepsis-related brain injury in people.
Abstract (excerpt)
Sepsis-related encephalopathy (SAE), which causes a series of brain injuries and long-term, potentially irreversible cognitive dysfunction, is closely associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Hydrogen (H2) is a new type of medical gas molecule that has been widely used in the treatment…