Hydrogen Gas Protects Lung Cells During Transplant Storage
The Anti-inflammatory Effect of Hydrogen on Lung Transplantation Model of Pulmonary Microvascular Endothelial Cells During Cold Storage Period
Research hubs: Respiratory System · Cardiovascular System
This research was done on cells or tissue in a lab, not in people or animals.
- Evidence type
- Laboratory study (cells or tissue)
- Authors
- Guangchao Zhang, Zhe Li, Chao Meng, Jiyu Kang, Mengdi Zhang, Liangjuan Ma, Huacheng Zhou
- Journal
- Transplantation
- Year
- 2018
- PMID
- 29762455
- Study Type
- Cell Culture
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 3% H2, 40% O2 and 57% N2 aerated for 4 h with gas replacement every 20 min during cold storage period
- H₂ concentration
- 3% H2
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 25 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- China
TL;DR
Hydrogen gas treatment reduced inflammation and cell damage in a simulated lung transplant environment.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas reduced inflammatory molecules (IL-6 and TNF-α) and decreased cell damage in lung cells during simulated cold storage for transplantation, suggesting it may help protect organs during preservation.
Summary
This laboratory study tested whether hydrogen gas could reduce inflammation in lung cells during the cold storage phase of organ transplantation. Researchers exposed lung cells to different gas mixtures—including one with 3% hydrogen—while simulating the conditions of a transplant procedure. Cells treated with hydrogen gas showed reduced inflammatory markers and less cell damage compared to control groups.
Practical Takeaway
This is a laboratory study using isolated cells, not human testing, so it cannot yet inform clinical practice or personal health decisions. While the results are promising for future organ transplant medicine, much more research—including animal and human studies—would be needed before hydrogen therapy could be considered for transplant patients. This early evidence suggests hydrogen warrants further investigation in this specific medical context.
Abstract (excerpt)
Background: Lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) remains an important factor for the early mortality of lung transplantations. Hydrogen (H2) can attenuate lung injury and improve lung function in animal experiments. In previous studies, pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs) were…