Hydrogen Gas Protects Brain Function During Severe Infection in Mice
Molecular hydrogen attenuates sepsis-induced neuroinflammation through regulation of microglia polarization through an mTOR-autophagy-dependent pathway
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
- Xinqi Zhuang, Yang Yu, Yi Jiang, Sen Zhao, Yuzun Wang, Lin Su, Keliang Xie, Yonghao Yu, Yuechun Lu, Guoyi Lv
- Journal
- International Immunopharmacology
- Year
- 2020
- PMID
- 32058932
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Gas
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 113 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas helps improve brain function and reduce inflammation in mice with sepsis-related brain damage by affecting immune cells in the brain and certain cellular pathways.
Key Finding
Hydrogen inhalation improved cognitive function in septic mice and reduced brain inflammation by shifting immune cells from a harmful pro-inflammatory state to a protective anti-inflammatory state through the mTOR-autophagy pathway.
Summary
This study investigated whether hydrogen gas could help protect the brain during sepsis (a severe infection). Researchers gave hydrogen to mice with sepsis and found it improved their memory and thinking abilities. The hydrogen appeared to work by changing how immune cells in the brain (called microglia) behave—shifting them from a pro-inflammatory state to an anti-inflammatory one through a specific cellular pathway involving a protein called mTOR.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage research in mice suggests hydrogen gas may help protect brain function during severe infections, but these findings have not been tested in humans. The study provides mechanistic insight into how hydrogen might work, but much more research—including human trials—would be needed before any therapeutic recommendations could be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is the cognitive impairment resulting from sepsis and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Hydrogen has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent to alleviate SAE. The mechanism, however, remains unclear. This research aimed to determine…