Hydrogen Water May Reduce Lung Injury in Mice Exposed to Cancer Drug
Molecular hydrogen attenuates gefitinib-induced exacerbation of naphthalene-evoked acute lung injury through a reduction in oxidative stress and inflammation
Research hubs: Respiratory System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Yasuhiro Terasaki, Tetsuya Suzuki, Kozue Tonaki, Mika Terasaki, Naomi Kuwahara, Jumi Ohsiro, Masumi Iketani, Mayumi Takahashi, Makoto Hamanoue, Yusuke Kajimoto, Seisuke Hattori, Hideo Kawaguchi, Akira Shimizu, Ikuroh Ohsawa
- Journal
- Laboratory Investigation
- Year
- 2019
- PMID
- 30710119
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Water (Dissolved)
- Dose
- H2-rich water ad libitum
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 31 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Drinking hydrogen-rich water can protect the lungs from damage caused by a lung cancer drug without affecting the drug's ability to fight cancer.
Key Finding
In mice, drinking hydrogen-rich water reduced lung damage and improved survival when combined with gefitinib treatment, while preserving the drug's anti-tumor effectiveness.
Summary
Researchers tested whether hydrogen-rich water could protect mice from severe lung damage caused by gefitinib, a cancer drug that can harm the lungs as a side effect. Mice that drank hydrogen-rich water showed less lung damage, better survival rates, and reduced inflammation compared to mice that didn't receive it. Importantly, the hydrogen water didn't interfere with the cancer drug's ability to fight tumors.
Practical Takeaway
This is early evidence from animal studies suggesting hydrogen-rich water may help protect against lung injury from certain cancer medications. However, this was tested only in mice, not humans, so it's unclear whether these results would apply to people taking gefitinib. More research, including human trials, would be needed before any clinical recommendations could be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
Although inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mediated cell signaling by the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib is highly effective against advanced non-small cell lung cancer, this drug might promote severe acute interstitial pneumonia. We previously reported that molecular…