Hydrogen Therapy May Fight Chronic Inflammation and COVID-19
- Authors
- Shin-Ichi Hirano, Yusuke Ichikawa, Bunpei Sato, Haru Yamamoto, Yoshiyasu Takefuji, Fumitake Satoh
- Journal
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- 10.3390/ijms22052549
- Study Type
- clinical
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Country
- Japan
- Health Condition
- Chronic Inflammatory Diseases
- Body System
- Immune System
TL;DR
Scientists found that a special type of hydrogen gas might help treat long-lasting inflammation in the body by stopping dangerous molecules inside our cells from triggering an overblown immune response. This discovery could lead to new treatments for diseases like COVID-19 and other conditions caused by too much inflammation.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen may selectively eliminate harmful hydroxyl radicals produced in mitochondria and potentially inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation, a key driver of excessive inflammation in chronic diseases.
Summary
This review article examines how molecular hydrogen (H2) might help treat chronic inflammatory diseases. The authors explain that mitochondria (the energy-producing parts of cells) create harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species, and hydrogen may selectively neutralize the most damaging type. The review proposes that hydrogen could reduce inflammation by blocking a cellular pathway (NLRP3 inflammasome) that triggers inflammatory responses, though they note this mechanism needs further study.
Practical Takeaway
This is a theoretical review article, not a clinical study with human participants, so it presents proposed mechanisms rather than proven effects. While the proposed mechanism is scientifically plausible, actual clinical benefits in humans remain unestablished and would require rigorous clinical trials to confirm.
Abstract
Mitochondria are the largest source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and are intracellular organelles that produce large amounts of the most potent hydroxyl radical (·OH). Molecular hydrogen (H2) can selectively eliminate ·OH generated inside of the mitochondria. Inflammation is induced by the release of proinflammatory cytokines produced by macrophages and neutrophils. However, an uncontrolled or exaggerated response often occurs, resulting in severe inflammation that can lead to acute or chronic inflammatory diseases. Recent studies have reported that ROS activate NLRP3 inflammasomes, and that this stimulation triggers the production of proinflammatory cytokines. It has been shown in literature that H2 can be based on the mechanisms that inhibit mitochondrial ROS. However, the ability for H2 to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation via mitochondrial oxidation is poorly understood. In this review, we hypothesize a possible mechanism by which H2 inhibits mitochondrial oxidation. Medical applications of H2 may solve the problem of many chronic inflammation-based diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).