Hydrogen Gas Protects Against Radiation Damage in Cancer Patients
- Authors
- Yunhai Chuai, Liren Qian, Xuejun Sun, Jianming Cai
- Journal
- Free Radical Research
- Year
- 2012
- DOI
- 10.3109/10715762.2012.689429
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Liver Cancer
- Body System
- Cellular
TL;DR
Scientists found that a simple gas called molecular hydrogen can protect your body from damage caused by radiation therapy used to treat cancer. When people with liver cancer drank hydrogen water during their treatment, they felt better and had fewer side effects, which means hydrogen could be a safe new way to help cancer patients.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen selectively neutralizes harmful free radicals (hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite) produced by ionizing radiation, and a randomized controlled trial showed patients undergoing radiotherapy for liver cancer who consumed hydrogen water reported improved quality of life.
Summary
This review examines how molecular hydrogen (H₂) may protect against damage from ionizing radiation (the type used in cancer treatment). Radiation damages cells partly by creating harmful molecules called hydroxyl radicals; hydrogen appears to neutralize these radicals. Laboratory studies in cells and animals showed protection, and one randomized controlled trial found that patients with liver cancer undergoing radiotherapy who consumed hydrogen water reported better quality of life compared to those who didn't.
Practical Takeaway
While early evidence from animal studies and one human trial suggests hydrogen water may help protect against radiation damage and improve quality of life during cancer radiotherapy, the human evidence is limited to a single trial with unreported sample size and duration. Anyone considering hydrogen water during cancer treatment should discuss it with their oncologist, as this remains an emerging area of research.
Abstract
Molecular hydrogen (dihydrogen, H(2)) acts as a therapeutic antioxidant by selectively reducing hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-). It has been well-known that ionising radiation (IR) causes oxidative damage and consequent apoptosis mainly due to the production of •OH that follows radiolysis of H(2)O. Our department reported the protective effect of H(2) in irradiated cells and mice for the first time, and this effect is well repeated by us and another laboratory in different experimental animal models. A randomised, placebo-controlled investigation also showed consumption of H(2) can improve the quality of life of patients treated with radiotherapy for liver tumours. These encouraging results suggested that H(2) has a potential as a radioprotective agent with efficacy and non-toxicity.