Hydrogen Gas Protects Brain Cells from Stroke Damage in Mice
The effect of hydrogen gas on a mouse bilateral common carotid artery occlusion
Research hubs: Brain & Nervous System · Cardiovascular System
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (mouse)
- Authors
- Kimihiro Nagatani, Satoru Takeuchi, Hiroaki Kobayashi, Naoki Otani, Kojiro Wada, Masanori Fujita, Hiroshi Nawashiro, Shoichi Tachibana, Katsuji Shima
- Journal
- Acta Neurochirurgica Supplement
- Year
- 2013
- PMID
- 23564105
- Study Type
- Mouse
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 1.3% hydrogen gas treatment during bilateral common carotid artery occlusion procedure
- H₂ concentration
- 1.3% H2 gas
- Duration
- 1 day or less
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 5 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
Breathing hydrogen gas helped reduce brain damage and swelling in mice after a stroke-like event.
Key Finding
Hydrogen gas treatment reduced oxidative stress markers, decreased neuronal injury in the hippocampus, and reduced brain swelling in mice with temporary loss of blood flow to the brain, despite not affecting blood flow or vital signs.
Summary
Researchers exposed mice to a temporary loss of blood flow to the brain, then treated some mice with hydrogen gas to see if it would help protect brain tissue. While hydrogen gas did not change blood flow or vital signs, it did reduce markers of cellular damage (oxidative stress), decreased injury to brain cells in a specific region called the hippocampus, and reduced brain swelling compared to untreated mice.
Practical Takeaway
This early-stage mouse study suggests hydrogen gas may have protective effects against brain damage from reduced blood flow, but much more research is needed before any conclusions can be drawn for humans. The study was conducted only in mice, so results may not translate to people, and further testing in larger animals and human trials would be necessary to determine if hydrogen water or hydrogen gas has any therapeutic value for stroke or similar conditions.
Abstract (excerpt)
In recent studies, molecular hydrogen selectively reduced the levels of hydroxyl radicals in vitro and exerted a therapeutic anti-oxidant activity in a rat middle cerebral artery occlusion model. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydrogen gas on a mouse bilateral common carotid…