Hydrogen Therapy Linked to Reduced Bone Death from Steroids in Rabbits
Protective effects of molecular hydrogen on steroid-induced osteonecrosis in rabbits via reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis
Research hubs: Musculoskeletal System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rabbit)
- Authors
- Jia Li, Zhaogang Ge, Lihong Fan, Kunzheng Wang
- Journal
- BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Year
- 2017
- PMID
- 28148301
- Study Type
- Rabbit
- Participants
- 60
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 10 ml/kg body weight intraperitoneal injection for 7 consecutive days
- Duration
- 1 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 22 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Breathing in hydrogen gas can reduce bone damage caused by steroid use in rabbits.
Key Finding
Molecular hydrogen reduced the incidence of steroid-induced bone death in rabbits from 68% to 29%, accompanied by decreased oxidative stress and cell death markers.
Summary
This study tested whether molecular hydrogen, a gas with antioxidant properties, could prevent bone death caused by steroid medications in rabbits. Researchers gave some rabbits steroids to cause bone damage, then treated half of them with hydrogen injections. Rabbits receiving hydrogen had much lower rates of bone death (29% versus 68%) and showed less cellular damage and cell death in their bone tissue.
Practical Takeaway
While these results are promising, this is an animal study in rabbits, so it's unclear whether hydrogen would have the same protective effects in humans taking steroids. Much more research, including human trials, would be needed before hydrogen could be considered a treatment for steroid-related bone complications.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of molecular hydrogen, a novel and selective antioxidant, on steroid-induced osteonecrosis (ON) in a rabbit model. Methods: Sixty rabbits were randomly divided into two groups (model group and hydrogen group)…