Hydrogen Gas Protected Heart Function During Infections in Mice
Molecular hydrogen protects against sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy through improving Golgi stress-mediated autophagy, inflammation and apoptosis
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Shuqi Meng, Jianfeng Liu, Yanhua Luo, Yan Fan, Zhiwei Wang, Yu Song, Shuaijie Pei, Xiaofan Huang, Lina Zhao, Keliang Xie
- Journal
- British Journal of Pharmacology
- Year
- 2025
- PMID
- 40717465
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Gas
- H₂ concentration
- 2% H2 gas
- Duration
- 1 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 8 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing 2% hydrogen gas helped protect the heart in septic mice by reducing stress in heart cells and lowering inflammation, cell death, and overactive cleanup processes.
Key Finding
Inhaling 2% hydrogen gas improved survival rates and cardiac function in mice with sepsis-induced heart damage, with the protective effect specifically linked to reducing Golgi stress and its downstream effects on inflammation and cell death.
Summary
Researchers studied whether inhaling hydrogen gas could protect the heart during sepsis (a life-threatening infection response). Using mice with induced sepsis, they found that 2% hydrogen gas improved survival rates, restored heart function, and reduced heart damage. The protective effect appeared to work by reducing stress in a cellular structure called the Golgi apparatus, which then decreased harmful processes like inflammation and cell death in heart tissue.
Practical Takeaway
This early research in mice suggests hydrogen gas may have heart-protective potential during severe infections, but it is a preliminary finding that has not been tested in humans. Much more research, including human clinical trials, would be needed before hydrogen therapy could be considered a treatment for sepsis-related heart problems.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background and Purpose Sepsis‐induced cardiomyopathy (SIC) is the primary cause of mortality among people with sepsis. Hydrogen (H 2 ) has a cardioprotective effect in SIC; however, its specific mechanism remains unclear. We thus explored whether 2% H 2 treatment mitigates SIC through inhibiting…