Hydrogen Protects Cells from Dangerous Space Radiation Damage
- Authors
- Yanyong Yang, Fu Gao, Hong Zhang, Yijuan Hunag, Pei Zhang, Cong Liu, Bailong Li, Jianming Cai
- Journal
- International Journal of Radiation Biology
- Year
- 2013
- DOI
- 10.3109/09553002.2013.817704
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Radiation Exposure
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
Hydrogen gas can reduce the damage to human cells caused by a type of heavy ion radiation that's a concern for space travel and cancer therapy.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen reduced radiation-induced cell death and harmful reactive oxygen species in laboratory-grown human immune cells exposed to heavy ion radiation.
Summary
Researchers tested whether molecular hydrogen (H₂) could protect human immune cells from damage caused by heavy ion radiation, a type of radiation exposure that astronauts face in space and that doctors use to treat cancer. They dissolved hydrogen gas in cell culture medium and exposed cells to radiation, then measured cell damage. The hydrogen reduced harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) that form after radiation exposure and prevented cells from dying through a process called apoptosis (programmed cell death).
Practical Takeaway
This is an early laboratory study using isolated cells, not human subjects, so it cannot yet demonstrate whether hydrogen water would protect people from radiation. The findings suggest hydrogen may have radioprotective properties worth investigating further, but much more research—including animal studies and eventually human trials—would be needed before any health claims could be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
Purpose: To investigate the potential protective role of molecular hydrogen (H(2)) against (12)C(6+) heavy ion radiation, which is a major hazard for space travel and has been also widely used in heavy ion radiotherapy. Materials and methods: H(2) was dissolved in Roswell Park Memorial Institute…