Hydrogen Therapy Shows Promise for Lung Disease Treatment
- Authors
- Zhiling Fu, Jin Zhang
- Journal
- Journal of Zhejiang University. Science. B
- Year
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.1631/jzus.B2100420
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Acute Lung Injury
- Body System
- Respiratory
TL;DR
Scientists found that a simple gas called molecular hydrogen might help treat lots of different lung diseases because it reduces harmful inflammation and damage in the lungs. This could be really important for treating serious breathing problems and even diseases like COVID-19, but doctors need to do more tests to figure out the best way to use it.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen shows promise as a potential therapeutic agent for multiple lung diseases through anti-inflammatory and antioxidative mechanisms, though evidence remains largely preliminary and requires further human clinical testing.
Summary
This review article examines how molecular hydrogen—a simple gas—may help protect lungs from various diseases. Hydrogen appears to work by reducing harmful inflammation and oxidative stress (cellular damage from unstable molecules) in lung tissue. The authors surveyed existing research suggesting hydrogen might benefit conditions ranging from acute lung injury to chronic diseases like asthma and pulmonary fibrosis, though they note that more clinical studies in humans are needed to confirm these effects and determine the best ways to deliver hydrogen.
Practical Takeaway
While this review suggests hydrogen may have protective effects on lung tissue, it is a summary of existing research rather than a report of new clinical trial results. No human studies were conducted for this review, and the authors explicitly call for more clinical research to establish safe and effective hydrogen delivery methods. Anyone considering hydrogen therapy for lung disease should consult their healthcare provider and await results from rigorous human clinical trials.
Abstract
Molecular hydrogen exerts biological effects on nearly all organs. It has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects and contributes to the regulation of autophagy and cell death. As the primary organ for gas exchange, the lungs are constantly exposed to various harmful environmental irritants. Short- or long-term exposure to these harmful substances often results in lung injury, causing respiratory and lung diseases. Acute and chronic respiratory diseases have high rates of morbidity and mortality and have become a major public health concern worldwide. For example, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global pandemic. An increasing number of studies have revealed that hydrogen may protect the lungs from diverse diseases, including acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, lung cancer, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and pulmonary fibrosis. In this review, we highlight the multiple functions of hydrogen and the mechanisms underlying its protective effects in various lung diseases, with a focus on its roles in disease pathogenesis and clinical significance.