Hydrogen-Enhanced Dialysis Reduces Fatigue and Itching in Kidney Patients
Possible clinical effects of molecular hydrogen (H2) delivery during hemodialysis in chronic dialysis patients: Interim analysis in a 12 month observation
Research hubs: Cardiovascular System · Skin & Dermatology System
- Evidence type
- Observational study · Human study
- Authors
- Masaaki Nakayama, Noritomo Itami, Hodaka Suzuki, Hiromi Hamada, Naoyuki Osaka, Ryo Yamamoto, Kazumasa Tsunoda, Hirofumi Nakano, Kimio Watanabe, Wan-Jun Zhu, Yukio Maruyama, Hiroyuki Terawaki, Shigeru Kabayama, Ryoichi Nakazawa, Mariko Miyazaki, Sadayoshi Ito
- Journal
- PLoS One
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 28902900
- Study Type
- Human
- Participants
- 262
- Delivery
- Water (Electrolysis)
- Dose
- H2-enriched dialysis solution delivered during hemodialysis for 12 months
- H₂ concentration
- 30 to 80 ppb
- Duration
- 12 months
- Funding
- Nihon Trim Co. Ltd.; General incorporated association of Electrolyzed Water-Hemodialysis Study group
- Conflicts of interest
- WJZ and SK are employees of Nihon Trim Co, Ltd., which funded the study.
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
A new type of hemodialysis that uses hydrogen-enriched dialysis solution may reduce blood pressure medication needs and symptoms like severe fatigue and itching in patients.
Key Finding
Patients receiving hydrogen-enriched hemodialysis reported significantly less severe fatigue and itching, and required fewer antihypertensive medications compared to those receiving standard hemodialysis over 12 months.
Summary
This study compared two types of hemodialysis (a treatment that filters waste from blood in kidney disease patients) over 12 months: one that delivered hydrogen-enriched dialysis fluid and one that used standard dialysis fluid. While both treatments worked similarly for removing waste, patients using hydrogen-enriched dialysis reported less severe fatigue and itching, and needed fewer blood pressure medications.
Practical Takeaway
This interim analysis suggests that hydrogen-enriched dialysis may help reduce some bothersome symptoms in dialysis patients, though this is an early-stage finding from one observational study. The researchers note these results support the need for larger, more rigorous clinical trials to confirm whether hydrogen delivery provides real clinical benefits. Anyone on dialysis should discuss these findings with their nephrologist rather than making treatment changes based on this study alone.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background and aim: It is supposed that enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation are involved with the poor clinical outcomes in patients on chronic dialysis treatment. Recent studies have shown that molecular hydrogen (H2) is biologically active as an anti-inflammatory agent. Thus, we developed…