Hydrogen Gas Reduces Exercise-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
- Authors
- Jonatas E. Nogueira, Patricia Passaglia, Clarissa M.D. Mota, Bruna M. Santos, Marcelo E. Batalhão, Evelin C. Carnio, Luiz G.S. Branco
- Journal
- Free Radical Biology and Medicine
- Year
- 2018
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2018.09.028
- Study Type
- Rat
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Brazil
- Health Condition
- Exercise-Induced Inflammation
- Body System
- Muscular
TL;DR
Inhaling hydrogen gas can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress caused by intense exercise in sedentary rats.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen gas inhalation reduced exercise-induced inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6) and decreased oxidative stress indicators in sedentary rats.
Summary
Researchers had sedentary rats run on a treadmill while breathing either hydrogen gas or regular air, then measured inflammatory and stress markers in their blood. They found that rats breathing hydrogen gas had lower levels of inflammatory chemicals (TNF-α and IL-6) after exercise and showed better antioxidant responses (higher SOD activity and lower TBARS, which indicates less cellular damage) compared to rats breathing regular air.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study suggesting hydrogen gas may help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress from acute exercise. However, these results are from rats only, and it's unclear whether similar effects would occur in humans or with other hydrogen delivery methods (like hydrogen water). More research in humans would be needed before drawing conclusions about practical benefits.
Abstract (excerpt)
Physical exercise induces inflammatory and oxidative markers production in the skeletal muscle and this process is under the control of both endogenous and exogenous modulators. Recently, molecular hydrogen (H2) has been described as a therapeutic gas able to reduced oxidative stress in a number…