Hydrogen inhalation therapy may ameliorate amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Ichikawa Y, Sato B, Hirano SI, Takefuji Y, Takefuji Y, Satoh F · Medical gas research · 2024
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
In this study, the researchers succeeded in suppressing the paralysis and degeneration of the calf muscles, a symptom of ALS, and even improved the difficulty in walking by having one ALS patient actually inhale hydrogen. These findings come from a laboratory model and suggest molecular hydrogen's biological potential. Further research is needed to determine clinical relevance.
What the Researchers Tested
The study examined laboratory experiment.
How Molecular Hydrogen Was Used
inhaled hydrogen gas.
What Molecular Hydrogen Changed
15 Hydrogen peroxide produces hydroxyl radicals (Fenton reaction) by one-electron reduction, in which hydrogen peroxide receives an electron from the reducing Fe 2+. 18 19 Case of ALS improvement by hydrogen gas inhalation: A 64-year-old Japanese man felt something wrong with his left calf in the spring of 2021, and when he went to the hospital in August of the same year, he was diagnosed with ALS. In this study, the researchers succeeded in suppressing the paralysis and degeneration of the calf muscles, a symptom of ALS, and even improved the difficulty in walking by having one ALS patient actually inhale hydrogen.
H₂ Mechanisms / Biological Findings
In view of the mechanism of conversion of hydroxyl radicals to water molecules by hydrogen as described above, hydrogen may have the potential to prevent ferroptosis in motor neurons, thereby inhibiting ALS progression. This perspective describes the mechanism of action in the development of ALS, touches on the possibility of ALS amelioration by hydrogen, and presents a case in which ALS symptoms were ameliorated by inhalation of hydrogen gas. Because of this mechanism of action, hydrogen may be effective against neurological diseases such as ALS and Parkinson’s disease, and the researchers decided to confirm the effect of hydrogen on ALS symptoms by recommending one patient with ALS to inhale hydrogen gas.
Authors’ Conclusion
The authors concluded that in view of the mechanism of conversion of hydroxyl radicals to water molecules by hydrogen as described above, hydrogen may have the potential to prevent ferroptosis in motor neurons, thereby inhibiting ALS progression. In this study, the researchers succeeded in suppressing the paralysis and degeneration of the calf muscles, a symptom of ALS, and even improved the difficulty in walking by having one ALS patient actually inhale hydrogen. Until now, no drug has been able to halt the progression of ALS symptoms, and the disease has been so intractable that patients have had no choice but to wait for death. Although this is only one case, future clinical trials with multiple patients should confirm the effectiveness of this treatment. The authors are grateful to Ms. YI, BS, SH, and FS are employees of MiZ Company limited.