Hydrogen Gas Protects Against Pancreatic Inflammation in Mice
Pre-inhalation of hydrogen-rich gases protect against caerulein-induced mouse acute pancreatitis while enhance the pancreatic Hsp60 protein expression
Research hubs: Digestive System · Endocrine System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Kun Li, Hongling Yin, Yi Duan, Peizhen Lai, Yancheng Cai, Youzhen Wei
- Journal
- BMC Gastroenterology
- Year
- 2021
- PMID
- 33874887
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Participants
- 80
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- hydrogen-rich gases inhalation for 3 days before caerulein injection
- Duration
- 3 days
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 11 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen-rich gases before experiencing acute pancreatitis can protect mice from the disease, likely by reducing oxidative stress and increasing a protective protein in the pancreas.
Key Finding
In mice, breathing hydrogen-rich gas for 3 days before acute pancreatitis induction significantly reduced pancreatic damage, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress compared to untreated mice.
Summary
Researchers gave mice hydrogen-rich gas to breathe for 3 days before inducing acute pancreatitis (a serious pancreas inflammation). Compared to mice that didn't receive hydrogen, the hydrogen-treated mice had less pancreatic damage, lower levels of pancreatic enzymes in their blood, reduced inflammatory markers, and better antioxidant protection (meaning less cellular damage from harmful molecules). The hydrogen treatment also increased a protective protein called Hsp60 in the pancreas.
Practical Takeaway
This mouse study suggests hydrogen gas inhalation may have protective effects against acute pancreatitis through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, this is early-stage animal research only—human studies are needed to determine if these findings apply to people, and hydrogen should not be considered a treatment or prevention for pancreatitis outside of clinical research settings.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) lacks targeted prevention and treatment measures. Some key points in the pathogenesis of AP remain unclear, such as early activation of pancreatic enzymes. Several recent reports have shown the protective effect of hydrogen on several AP animal models…