Hydrogen Gas Inhalation Improved Intestinal Microbiota in Ulcerative Colitis: A Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Takafumi Maruyama, Dai Ishikawa, Rina Kurokawa, Hiroaki Masuoka, Kei Nomura, Mayuko Haraikawa, Masayuki Orikasa, Rina Odakura, Masao Koma, Masashi Omori, Hirotaka Ishino, Kentaro Ito, Tomoyoshi Shibuya, Wataru Suda, Akihito Nagahara · Biomedicines · 2025
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.
How Molecular Hydrogen Was Used
In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 10 active patients with ulcerative colitis (aged ≥20 years; Lichtiger's clinical activity index, 3-10; and Mayo endoscopic subscores ≥1) participated, and they were assigned to either a hydrogen or air inhalation group (hydrogen and placebo groups, respectively).
What the Researchers Found
The hydrogen group showed higher α-diversity (p = 0.19), and the variation in β-diversity was markedly different, compared to the placebo group, in intestinal microbiota analysis (p = 0.02). Functional gene analysis revealed 115 significant genetic changes in the hydrogen group following treatment.
H₂ Mechanisms / Biological Findings
The source material reviewed did not establish a specific molecular hydrogen mechanism for the reported findings.
Authors’ Conclusion
The authors concluded that hydrogen inhalation appeared to improve intestinal microbiota diversity; however, no clear therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis was observed. Further studies are needed, and hydrogen inhalation may possibly lead to a logical solution combined with microbiome therapy, such as faecal microbiota transplantation, with fewer adverse events.
H2HUBB TAKEAWAY
The hydrogen group showed higher α-diversity, and the variation in β-diversity was markedly different, compared to the placebo group, in intestinal microbiota analysis.
What the Researchers Studied
The study examined 10 patients with ulcerative colitis (aged ≥20 years.