Hydrogen Gas Shows Promise for Reducing Inflammation in Blood Machines
- Authors
- Foivos Leonidas Mouzakis, Flutura Hima, Ali Kashefi, Johannes Greven, Lothar Rink, Emiel P. C. van der Vorst, Joachim Jankowski, Khosrow Mottaghy, Jan Spillner
- Journal
- Biomedicines
- Year
- 2024
- DOI
- 10.3390/biomedicines12081883
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Germany
- Health Condition
- Chronic Inflammation
- Body System
- Cardiovascular
TL;DR
Adding molecular hydrogen (H2) to a blood circulation system used in medical treatments may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress caused by the treatment itself.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas reduced inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in blood samples exposed to bacterial toxins during simulated extracorporeal circulation, compared to untreated samples.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen gas could reduce inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) in blood samples circulated through machines similar to those used in dialysis and heart-lung bypass procedures. They exposed blood samples to a bacterial toxin known to trigger inflammation, and added hydrogen gas to some samples. After 6 hours, samples treated with hydrogen showed lower levels of inflammatory markers compared to untreated samples, suggesting hydrogen may help protect blood during these medical procedures.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage laboratory study using blood samples in test tubes, not human patients, so results cannot yet be applied to real medical practice. The findings suggest hydrogen may warrant further investigation for protecting patients during dialysis and bypass procedures, but much more research—including human trials—is needed to determine safe and effective dosing before any clinical use.
Abstract
Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is frequently implemented in a vast array of modalities such as hemodialysis, cardiopulmonary bypass, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and others. Patients receiving any such therapy are frequently encumbered with chronic inflammation, which is inherently accompanied by oxidative stress. However, ECC treatments themselves are also responsible for sustaining or promoting inflammation. On these grounds, an in vitro study was designed to investigate the therapeutic potential of molecular hydrogen (H2) against pro-inflammatory agents in ECC settings. Five miniature ECMO circuits and a small vial (Control) were primed with heparinized blood from healthy adult donors (n = 7). Three of the ECMO systems were injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), out of which one was additionally treated with an H2 gas mixture. After 6 h, samples were drawn for the assessment of specific biomarkers (MCP-1, MPO, MDA-a, TRX1, and IL-6). Preliminary results indicate a progressive oxidative and inflammatory response between the six systems. Circulation has triggered inflammation and blood trauma, but the staggering influence of LPS in this outcome is indisputable. Accordingly, hydrogen's remedial potential becomes immediately apparent as biomarker concentrations tend to be lower in the H2-handled circuit. Future research should have distinct objectives (e.g., dosage/duration/cycle of hydrogen administration) in order to ascertain the optimal protocol for patient treatment.