Hydrogen Gas Protects Lungs During Transplant Surgery in Rats
Protective effects of hydrogen inhalation during the warm ischemia phase against lung ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat donors after cardiac death
Research hubs: Respiratory System · Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Jiahang Zhang, Huacheng Zhou, Jinfeng Liu, Chao Meng, Lin Deng, Wenzhi Li
- Journal
- Microvascular Research
- Year
- 2019
- PMID
- 31175855
- Study Type
- Rat
- Participants
- 16
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 3% hydrogen and 40% oxygen plus 57% nitrogen for 2 hours during warm ischemia phase
- H₂ concentration
- 3% H2 gas
- Duration
- 1 day or less
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 13 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas helps protect rat lungs from damage after the heart has stopped beating, potentially improving the success of lung transplants.
Key Finding
Lungs treated with 3% hydrogen gas during the warm ischemia phase (the period after cardiac death but before transplant) showed significantly better function, less inflammation, and reduced cell damage compared to untreated lungs in this rat model.
Summary
This rat study tested whether breathing hydrogen gas could protect donor lungs from damage during the time between cardiac death and transplantation. Researchers gave one group of rats hydrogen gas to breathe during this critical period, while a control group breathed regular air. After transplanting the lungs into recipient rats, the hydrogen-treated lungs showed better function, less fluid buildup, less inflammation, and less cell damage compared to control lungs.
Practical Takeaway
This is early-stage research in rats only, so it cannot yet be applied to human lung transplants. The results suggest hydrogen gas inhalation may help protect donor lungs during the critical period after cardiac death, but human clinical trials would be needed to determine if this approach is safe and effective in actual transplant patients.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Successful amelioration of long-term warm ischemia lung injury in donors after cardiac death (DCDs) can remarkably improve outcomes. Hydrogen gas provides potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects against ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). This study observed the effects…