Hydrogen Gas Speeds Wound Healing by 3x in New Study

Authors
Journal
Inflammation and Regeneration
Year
DOI
10.1186/s41232-023-00271-9
Study Type
Cell Culture
Outcome
Positive
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Country
China
Health Condition
Cutaneous Wounds
Body System
Integumentary

TL;DR

Treating wounds with high concentrations of hydrogen gas significantly speeds up healing by promoting skin cell growth and the rebuilding of skin structure without relying on oxygen or anti-oxidative effects.

Key Finding

Wounds treated with 66% hydrogen gas healed approximately 3 times faster than control wounds, with accelerated epidermal stem cell activation and early deposition of structural proteins essential for tissue repair.

Summary

Researchers tested whether molecular hydrogen gas could speed up wound healing in a laboratory model. They found that exposing wounds to high-concentration hydrogen gas (66%) dramatically accelerated healing—wounds closed about 3 times faster than untreated wounds. The hydrogen appeared to work by activating stem cells in the skin and promoting the buildup of structural proteins that form new tissue, rather than through the antioxidant (damage-fighting) effects that hydrogen is typically known for.

Practical Takeaway

While this laboratory study suggests hydrogen gas may have wound-healing potential, it was conducted in a controlled cell culture model, not in humans or even live animals. The very high hydrogen concentration used (66%) is not comparable to hydrogen water or other consumer products. Significant additional research, including animal and human studies, would be needed before any practical applications could be recommended.

Abstract

Background: Despite progress in developing wound care strategies, there is currently no treatment that promotes the self-tissue repair capabilities. H2 has been shown to effectively protect cells and tissues from oxidative and inflammatory damage. While comprehensive effects and how H2 functions in wound healing remains unknown, especially for the link between H2 and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and epidermal stem cells (EpSCs) activation. Methods: Here, we established a cutaneous aseptic wound model and applied a high concentration of H2 (66% H2) in a treatment chamber. Molecular mechanisms and the effects of healing were evaluated by gene functional enrichment analysis, digital spatial profiler analysis, blood perfusion/oxygen detection assay, in vitro tube formation assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescent staining, non-targeted metabonomic analysis, flow cytometry, transmission electron microscope, and live-cell imaging. Results: We revealed that a high concentration of H2 (66% H2) greatly increased the healing rate (3 times higher than the control group) on day 11 post-wounding. The effect was not dependent on O2 or anti-reactive oxygen species functions. Histological and cellular experiments proved the fast re-epithelialization in the H2 group. ECM components early (3 days post-wounding) deposition were found in the H2 group of the proximal wound, especially for the dermal col-I, epidermal col-III, and dermis-epidermis-junction col-XVII. H2 accelerated early autologous EpSCs proliferation (1-2 days in advance) and then differentiation into myoepithelial cells. These epidermal myoepithelial cells could further contribute to ECM deposition. Other beneficial outcomes include sustained moist healing, greater vascularization, less T-helper-1 and T-helper-17 cell-related systemic inflammation, and better tissue remodelling. Conclusion: We have discovered a novel pattern of wound healing induced by molecular hydrogen treatment. This is the first time to reveal the direct link between H2 and ECM deposition and EpSCs activation. These H2-induced multiple advantages in healing may be related to the enhancement of cell viability in various cells and the maintenance of mitochondrial functions at a basic level in the biological processes of life.