Hydrogen Gas Linked to Lung Changes in Rats with Simulated Pulmonary Hypertension
The Role of Mast Cells in the Remodeling Effects of Molecular Hydrogen on the Lung Local Tissue Microenvironment under Simulated Pulmonary Hypertension
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
- Dmitrii Atiakshin, Andrey Kostin, Alexander Alekhnovich, Artem Volodkin, Michael Ignatyuk, Ilya Klabukov, Denis Baranovskii, Igor Buchwalow, Markus Tiemann, Marina Artemieva, Nataliya Medvedeva, Tyler W. LeBaron, Mami Noda, Oleg Medvedev
- Journal
- International Journal of Molecular Sciences
- Year
- 2024
- PMID
- 39456794
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Gas
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 4 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Russia
TL;DR
Breathing in molecular hydrogen (H2) gas appears to reduce lung scarring and inflammation in rats with a disease that mimics human pulmonary hypertension.
Key Finding
Inhaled hydrogen gas reduced mast cell populations and decreased collagen scarring in rat lungs with pulmonary hypertension, suggesting a potential anti-fibrotic mechanism involving immune cell modulation.
Summary
In rats with a lung disease that mimics pulmonary hypertension and fibrosis (scarring), researchers tested whether inhaled hydrogen gas could reduce harmful changes in lung tissue. They found that hydrogen gas reduced the number of mast cells (immune cells that trigger inflammation) in the lungs and decreased the production of proteins that promote scarring, resulting in less collagen buildup and tissue damage compared to untreated rats.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study provides early evidence that hydrogen inhalation may help reduce lung scarring through effects on immune cells, but it is a preliminary animal study with individual variation among subjects. Human studies would be needed to determine whether these findings apply to people with pulmonary hypertension or lung fibrosis.
Abstract (excerpt)
Molecular hydrogen (H2) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic effects. In a rat model simulating pulmonary fibrotic changes induced by monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension (MPH), we had previously explored the impact of inhaled H2 on lung inflammation and blood pressure…