Hydrogen Gas Protects Lungs from Sepsis Damage in Rats
Protective effect and mechanism of hydrogen treatment on lung epithelial barrier dysfunction in rats with sepsis
Research hubs: Respiratory System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- L.D. Liu, X.Y. Wu, B.D. Tao, N. Wang, J. Zhang
- Journal
- Genetics and Molecular Research
- Year
- 2016
- PMID
- 26909920
- Study Type
- Rat
- Participants
- 45
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 2% hydrogen inhalation for 6 hours
- H₂ concentration
- 2% H2 gas
- Duration
- 1 day or less
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 21 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen treatment may help protect the lungs from damage and improve breathing in rats with sepsis.
Key Finding
Rats with sepsis-induced lung injury that breathed hydrogen gas for 6 hours showed reduced fluid accumulation in the lungs, improved oxygen levels, and less inflammatory damage compared to untreated controls.
Summary
This study tested whether hydrogen gas could protect lung tissue in rats with sepsis (a severe infection). Researchers gave some rats a bacterial toxin to trigger lung injury, then had them breathe either regular air or 2% hydrogen gas for 6 hours. Rats that breathed hydrogen showed less fluid buildup in their lungs, better oxygen levels, and less inflammatory damage compared to those breathing regular air. The protective effect appeared to work through a protein called aquaporin-1, which helps regulate water movement in lung cells.
Practical Takeaway
This is an early-stage animal study in rats, not humans, so it cannot yet inform real-world hydrogen water use. The study used hydrogen gas inhalation rather than drinking hydrogen water, which may have different effects. While the results are promising for potential future sepsis treatments, much more research—including human trials—would be needed before any therapeutic claims could be made.
Abstract (excerpt)
This study aimed to explore the protective effect of hydrogen and to investigate the underlying mechanism of its preliminary effect on the alveolar epithelial barrier function in septic rats. Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into three groups (N = 15): control [saline…