Combating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in COVID-19 by Molecular Hydrogen Therapy: Mechanisms and Perspectives.
Duried Alwazeer, Franky Fuh-Ching Liu, Xiao Yu Wu, Tyler W LeBaron · Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity · 2021
Research-use notice
Independent study record
Each H2HUBB study page organizes source-linked research details for educational use. Interpretation should remain proportional to the study design, population, controls, and limitations.
H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
This narrative review examined the available molecular-hydrogen literature. The authors highlighted early evidence of cytoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. The reviewed evidence adds support for molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential across the conditions, mechanisms, or outcomes examined.
What the Findings Mean
H2HUBB reviewed this publication as a synthesis of molecular-hydrogen research and summarizes the outcomes emphasized by the authors. An explanation for the advantageous effects of molecular hydrogen in COVID-19 treatment is related to the different properties of molecular hydrogen: (1) the small molecular size and nonpolarity of H₂ allow it to rapidly permeate the tissues and cells, (2) it can selectively reduce only the cytotoxic ROS, (3) it can suppress the excessive production of otherwise good ROS, (4) it can suppress proinflammatory cytokines, (5) it can induce cytoprotective heat shock proteins, (6) it can improve mitochondrial bioenergetics, and (7) it has no known toxic effects even at very high levels [ 114 ].
What the Researchers Studied
The authors reviewed combating Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in COVID-19 by Molecular Hydrogen Therapy: Mechanisms and Perspectives.
What Effects Did Molecular Hydrogen Have?
To address all of these contributing factors to cytokine storm in COVID-19, inhalation of molecular hydrogen may offer an effective solution to tackle both hypoxia and oxidative stress, thereby reducing downstream cytokine secretion. It was also revealed that inhalation of 2% hydrogen attenuated septic shock-induced organ injury and decreased neutrophil infiltrate in the alveoli, and reduced alveolar damage [ 99 ]. On the other hand, inhalation of H₂ /O₂ mixed gas has been shown to reduce the inspiratory effort in patients with acute severe tracheal stenosis [ 82 ]. An explanation for the advantageous effects of molecular hydrogen in COVID-19 treatment is related to the different properties of molecular hydrogen: (1) the small molecular size and nonpolarity of H₂ allow it to rapidly permeate the tissues and cells, (2) it can selectively reduce only the cytotoxic ROS, (3) it can suppress the excessive production of otherwise good ROS, (4) it can suppress proinflammatory cytokines, (5) it can induce cytoprotective heat shock proteins, (6) it can improve mitochondrial bioenergetics, and (7) it has no known toxic effects even at very high levels [ 114 ]. This may partly be attributable to their inability at restoring redox and inflammatory homeostasis, for which molecular hydrogen (H₂), an emerging novel medical gas, may complement. Methionine, cysteine (Cys), cystine, homocysteine, glutathione, and hydrogen sulfide are the common sulfur-containing compounds impacting protein regulation and cell signaling.
Why These Findings Matter
The reviewed evidence adds support for molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential across the conditions, mechanisms, or outcomes examined.
How Strong Is This Evidence?
This is review or synthesis evidence (narrative review).
Technical Study Details
H2HUBB classifies this publication as narrative review with review or synthesis evidence. The reported sample size was 19. The study used a narrative review. The hydrogen delivery method was hydrogen-rich water.
Limitations and Safety
No separate limitations or safety findings were identified in the source text available to H2HUBB.
Original Study and H2HUBB Research Context
H2HUBB presents this source-grounded research record as one contribution to the broader molecular-hydrogen evidence base.