Hydrogen Gas Shows Promise as Radiation Protection for Cancer Patients
- Authors
- Shin-Ichi Hirano, Yusuke Ichikawa, Bunpei Sato, Haru Yamamoto, Yoshiyasu Takefuji, Fumitake Satoh
- Journal
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.3390/ijms22094566
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Cancer
- Body System
- Cellular
TL;DR
Scientists found that a simple gas called molecular hydrogen could protect people from radiation damage during medical treatments by stopping harmful chemicals called free radicals from hurting cells, and it seems to be really safe to use.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen selectively neutralizes hydroxyl radicals (a particularly damaging type of free radical) and appears to protect cells through multiple mechanisms including reducing inflammation and preventing cell death.
Summary
This review examines how molecular hydrogen (H2) might protect cells from damage caused by ionizing radiation used in medical imaging and cancer treatment. Radiation damages cells both directly by hitting DNA and indirectly by creating harmful molecules called free radicals. The review summarizes evidence from animal studies and clinical trials showing that hydrogen gas can neutralize these harmful free radicals and reduce inflammation and cell death, suggesting it could be a safe way to protect patients undergoing radiation therapy.
Practical Takeaway
While this review suggests hydrogen has radioprotective potential based on animal studies and early clinical trials, most evidence comes from laboratory and animal research rather than large human studies. Anyone considering hydrogen as a protective measure during radiation treatment should discuss it with their medical team, as clinical evidence in humans remains limited.
Abstract
Although ionizing radiation (radiation) is commonly used for medical diagnosis and cancer treatment, radiation-induced damages cannot be avoided. Such damages can be classified into direct and indirect damages, caused by the direct absorption of radiation energy into DNA and by free radicals, such as hydroxyl radicals (•OH), generated in the process of water radiolysis. More specifically, radiation damage concerns not only direct damages to DNA, but also secondary damages to non-DNA targets, because low-dose radiation damage is mainly caused by these indirect effects. Molecular hydrogen (H2) has the potential to be a radioprotective agent because it can selectively scavenge •OH, a reactive oxygen species with strong oxidizing power. Animal experiments and clinical trials have reported that H2 exhibits a highly safe radioprotective effect. This paper reviews previously reported radioprotective effects of H2 and discusses the mechanisms of H2, not only as an antioxidant, but also in intracellular responses including anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis, and the regulation of gene expression. In doing so, we demonstrate the prospects of H2 as a novel and clinically applicable radioprotective agent.