Hydrogen Gas Shrinks Colorectal Cancer Tumors in Lab Study
Molecular Hydrogen Inhibits Colorectal Cancer Growth via the AKT/SCD1 Signaling Pathway
Research hubs: Digestive System
- Authors
- Xiangyan Zhang, Geru Tao, Ya'nan Zhao, Sijie Xing, Jie Jiang, Boyan Liu, Shucun Qin
- Journal
- BioMed Research International
- Year
- 2022
- PMID
- 35528164
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Participants
- 491
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 67% hydrogen inhalation two hours per day
- H₂ concentration
- 67% hydrogen
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 13 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in high levels of molecular hydrogen (H2) gas can slow down the growth of colorectal cancer by affecting certain proteins in the cancer cells.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen gas reduced colorectal cancer cell growth in the lab and shrank tumors in mice by blocking a protein signaling pathway involved in cancer cell multiplication.
Summary
Researchers tested whether molecular hydrogen (H2, a gas) could slow the growth of colorectal cancer cells and tumors. In laboratory tests, hydrogen reduced cancer cell growth, and in mice with implanted tumors, inhaling hydrogen gas (67% concentration for 2 hours daily) shrank tumors. The researchers found that hydrogen works by blocking a specific protein pathway (called AKT/SCD1) that cancer cells use to multiply.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research conducted only in cells and mice, not in humans. While the results are promising, they do not yet indicate that hydrogen therapy would be effective against colorectal cancer in people. Much more research, including human clinical trials, would be needed before any therapeutic claims could be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
Objective: Molecular hydrogen (H2) has been considered a potential therapeutic target in many cancers. Therefore, we sought to assess the potential effect of H2 on colorectal cancer (CRC) in this study. Methods: The effect of H2 on the proliferation and apoptosis of RKO, SW480, and HCT116 CRC cell…