Hydrogen Gas Shows Promise for Stem Cell Therapy and Tissue Healing
- Authors
- Mikhail Yu Artamonov, Inessa A. Minenko, Tyler W. LeBaron
- Journal
- Antioxidants
- Year
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.3390/antiox12030636
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Russia
- Health Condition
- Degenerative Conditions
- Body System
- Cellular
TL;DR
Scientists reviewed thousands of studies and found that a simple gas called hydrogen might be really good at helping our bodies heal and fix damaged tissues, especially by working with special cells that can grow into any type of cell we need.
Key Finding
A systematic review of over 2,000 studies indicates that molecular hydrogen produces diverse biological effects across multiple cell and tissue types, with particular potential in stem cell applications and regenerative medicine.
Summary
This review article summarizes over 2,000 published studies on molecular hydrogen—a simple gas that can be introduced into the body through various methods. Researchers found that hydrogen appears to have multiple biological effects on different types of cells, including stem cells (cells that can develop into specialized cell types). The review suggests that hydrogen's effects on cells and tissues make it worth investigating further as a potential tool in regenerative medicine (medical approaches that aim to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs).
Practical Takeaway
While this review identifies hydrogen as a promising research direction, it is a summary of existing literature rather than new experimental evidence. The authors themselves note that further systematic research is needed to establish specific clinical protocols and determine actual effectiveness in treating human conditions. Anyone interested in hydrogen water should recognize that this represents early-stage research potential, not proven clinical benefit.
Abstract
It is known that molecular hydrogen is a relatively stable, ubiquitous gas that is a minor component of the atmosphere. At the same time, in recent decades molecular hydrogen has been shown to have diverse biological effects. By the end of 2022, more than 2000 articles have been published in the field of hydrogen medicine, many of which are original studies. Despite the existence of several review articles on the biology of molecular hydrogen, many aspects of the research direction remain unsystematic. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to systematize ideas about the nature, characteristics, and mechanisms of the influence of molecular hydrogen on various types of cells, including stem cells. The historical aspects of the discovery of the biological activity of molecular hydrogen are presented. The ways of administering molecular hydrogen into the body are described. The molecular, cellular, tissue, and systemic effects of hydrogen are also reviewed. Specifically, the effect of hydrogen on various types of cells, including stem cells, is addressed. The existing literature indicates that the molecular and cellular effects of hydrogen qualify it to be a potentially effective agent in regenerative medicine.