Hydrogen May Protect Cancer Patients from Chemotherapy Side Effects
- Authors
- Fang Li, Tao Li, Chu-Rong Li, Xiao-Li Yuan, Bo Chen, Jun Zhang, Jin-Yi Lang
- Journal
- Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
- Year
- 2017
- DOI
- 10.4314/tjpr.v16i11.27
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- China
- Health Condition
- Cancer
- Body System
- Hematologic
TL;DR
Scientists found that a special type of hydrogen might help protect people from the bad side effects of a cancer drug called cisplatin by getting rid of harmful molecules that damage cells—kind of like how an antacid neutralizes stomach acid, but for your body during chemotherapy.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen may selectively eliminate the most toxic reactive oxygen species produced by cisplatin while preserving beneficial cellular signaling, potentially reducing chemotherapy side effects in organs like the kidney, brain, and liver.
Summary
This review examined whether molecular hydrogen (a gas that can be dissolved in water) might protect patients from harmful side effects of cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug. Cisplatin works against cancer but can damage healthy cells by creating harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS). The review found that hydrogen may selectively neutralize the most damaging types of ROS while leaving beneficial ones intact, potentially protecting the kidneys, brain, liver, and blood cells from cisplatin damage.
Practical Takeaway
This is a review of existing research, not a new study with human participants, so it represents early-stage thinking rather than proven treatment. While the theory is interesting, no human trials of hydrogen for cisplatin protection have been conducted yet. Anyone undergoing cisplatin chemotherapy should discuss any complementary approaches with their oncologist before trying them.
Abstract
Purpose: To review the potential protective role of hydrogen against cisplatin-induced side effects during chemotherapy. Methods: We searched PubMed and SCOPUS using the following keywords and combinations in titles, keywords, abstracts and full texts: cisplatin; side effects; chemotherapy; tumor; toxicity; hydrogen; reactive oxidative species; and ischemic reperfusion. Results: The pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced side effects is suggested based on the increased level of reactive oxidative species (ROS). Cisplatin induces ROS-dependent platelet apoptosis via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, which might have contributed to cisplatininduced hematotoxicity, and in particular, thrombocytopenia. Molecular hydrogen has been shown to have therapeutic effects against damage to various organs (especially kidney, brain and liver) caused by ischemic reperfusion (IR) through selective elimination of the most cytotoxic ROS hydrogen radicals without affecting other types of ROS involved in signal transduction in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: Hydrogen may not only alleviate hematotoxicity in patients with hemorrhagic tendencies during cisplatin-based chemotherapy, but also has a potential protective effect against other side effects induced by cisplatin.