Hydrogen gas inhalation inhibits progression to the “irreversible” stage of shock after severe hemorrhage in rats.
Tadashi Matsuoka, Masaru Suzuki, Motoaki Sano, Kei Hayashida, Tomoyoshi Tamura, Koichiro Homma, Keiichi Fukuda, Junichi Sasaki · The journal of trauma and acute care surgery · 2017
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Independent study record
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H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
In rats, at 2 hours after fluid resuscitation, blood pressure remained in the normal range and metabolic acidosis was well compensated in the H₂ gas-treated rats, whereas the researchers observed decreased blood pressure and uncompensated metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia in the surviving control gas-treated rats. These results are preclinical and suggest molecular hydrogen's therapeutic potential in the condition studied. Further human research is needed to establish clinical effectiveness.
What the Researchers Studied
The researchers investigated whether hydrogen (H₂) gas inhalation would influence the tolerance to hemorrhagic shock and improve survival.
How Molecular Hydrogen Was Used
The rats were assigned to either the H₂ gas (1.3% H₂, 26% O₂, 72.7% N₂)-treated group or the control gas (26% O₂, 74% N₂)-treated group.
What the Researchers Found
The survival rate at 6 hours after fluid resuscitation was 80% in H₂ gas-treated rats and 30% in control gas-treated rats (p < 0.05). At 2 hours after fluid resuscitation, blood pressure remained in the normal range and metabolic acidosis was well compensated in the H₂ gas-treated rats, whereas the researchers observed decreased blood pressure and uncompensated metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia in the surviving control gas-treated rats. The volume of blood that was removed through a catheter to induce shock was significantly larger in the H₂ gas-treated rats than in the control rats.
H₂ Mechanisms / Biological Findings
The source material reviewed did not establish a specific molecular hydrogen mechanism for the reported findings.
Authors’ Conclusion
Clinically, H₂ gas inhalation is expected to stabilize the subject until curative treatment can be performed, thereby increasing the probability of survival after hemorrhagic shock.