Hydrogen Gas Shows Promise for Preventing Preterm Birth in New Study
- Authors
- Chieko Aoki, Kenji Imai, Teruyuki Mizutani, Daisuke Sugiyama, Rika Miki, Yoshihiro Koya, Tomoko Kobayashi, Takafumi Ushida, Yukako Iitani, Noriyuki Nakamura, Taro Owaki, Hiroyoshi Nishikawa, Shinya Toyokuni, Hiroaki Kajiyama, Tomomi Kotani
- Journal
- Life Sciences
- Year
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120955
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Preterm Birth
- Body System
- Reproductive
TL;DR
This study suggests that the amount of hydrogen gas produced by pregnant women could be a marker for predicting preterm birth, and that hydrogen gas may help in maintaining a healthy pregnancy by regulating the immune system.
Key Finding
Pregnant women with preterm birth had significantly lower levels of molecular hydrogen production compared to those with normal pregnancies, and H2 administration in mice reduced premature birth by regulating immune cell activity.
Summary
This study examined whether molecular hydrogen (H2, a simple gas) affects pregnancy by influencing immune cells called T cells and their energy-producing structures (mitochondria). Researchers measured H2 levels in pregnant women and found that women who delivered prematurely had lower H2 levels. In laboratory and animal studies, H2 appeared to calm immune responses and improve how T cells function, which may help maintain pregnancy.
Practical Takeaway
While these findings are interesting, they come from animal studies and early laboratory work—not human trials. The connection between H2 levels and pregnancy outcomes in humans needs much more research before any clinical recommendations can be made. This work suggests H2 measurement might one day help identify pregnancy risk, but it is far too early to consider H2 as a pregnancy intervention.
Abstract
Aims: Molecular hydrogen (H2) has attracted growing interest because of its implications in various diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the remarkable effect of a small amount of H2 remain elusive. No knowledge has been available on the role of H2 in the etiology of pregnancy disorders or its direct influence on human immune cells. Since maternal immunity, T cells in particular, plays a critical role in pregnancy maintenance. We investigated the effects of H2 on T cells and its relation to preterm birth (PTB). Main methods: Exhaled H2 concentrations in pregnant women were measured and correlated with cytokine concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood. H2 was added to T cells collected from healthy donors, and differentiation and proliferation were examined. Energy metabolism was also examined. H2 was administered to mice and cytokine expression was compared. Key findings: Our prospective observational study revealed that maternal production of H2 is significantly lower in pregnant women with PTB, suggesting its potential as a biomarker for predicting PTB. We found that H2 has clear associations with several maternal cytokines, and acts as an immunomodulator by exerting mitochondrial function in human T cells. Moreover, in vivo administration of H2 to pregnant mice regulated inflammatory responses and reduced PTB caused by T cell activation, which further supports the notion that H2 may contribute to prolonged gestation through its immunomodulatory effect. Significance: Measuring maternal H2-production could be a potential clinical tool in the management of PTB, and H2 may have positive impact on pregnancy maintenance.