Hydrogen-Enhanced Dialysis Was Linked to Better Outcomes in Kidney Patients
Novel haemodialysis (HD) treatment employing molecular hydrogen (H2)-enriched dialysis solution improves prognosis of chronic dialysis patients: A prospective observational study
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System
- Evidence type
- Observational study · Human study
- Authors
- Masaaki Nakayama, Noritomo Itami, Hodaka Suzuki, Hiromi Hamada, Ryo Yamamoto, Kazumasa Tsunoda, Naoyuki Osaka, Hirofumi Nakano, Yukio Maruyama, Shigeru Kabayama, Ryoichi Nakazawa, Mariko Miyazaki, Sadayoshi Ito
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Year
- 2018
- PMID
- 29321509
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 309
- Delivery
- Solution (Dissolved)
- Dose
- H2-enriched dialysis solution delivered during haemodialysis sessions over 3.28-year mean observation period
- H₂ concentration
- 30-80 ppb
- Duration
- 40 months
- Funding
- Nihon Trim Co., Ltd.
- Conflicts of interest
- None declared
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
A new type of hemodialysis that uses hydrogen-enriched water may lead to better health outcomes for patients with kidney disease.
Key Finding
Patients receiving hydrogen-enriched dialysis had a 41% lower risk of death or major heart and stroke events compared to those on standard dialysis over a 3-year period.
Summary
Researchers tested a new type of kidney dialysis (a treatment that filters waste from blood) that included dissolved hydrogen gas. Over about 3 years, patients using hydrogen-enriched dialysis had fewer deaths and heart or stroke events compared to patients using standard dialysis. The hydrogen-treated group also needed fewer blood pressure medications. The study suggests that hydrogen may reduce inflammation in the body, which could help protect dialysis patients' hearts and blood vessels.
Practical Takeaway
This study in dialysis patients suggests hydrogen-enriched dialysis may offer cardiovascular benefits, though the study was not randomized or blinded, which limits how strongly we can interpret the results. The findings are specific to dialysis patients with kidney failure and may not apply to healthy people or other populations. More rigorous research would be needed before drawing firm conclusions about hydrogen's role in dialysis treatment.
Abstract (excerpt)
Recent studies have revealed unique biological characteristics of molecular hydrogen (H2) as an anti-inflammatory agent. We developed a novel haemodialysis (E-HD) system delivering an H2 (30-80 ppb)-enriched dialysis solution by water electrolysis, and conducted a non-randomized, non-blinded…