Hydrogen Research Study
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Preclinical animal evidenceAnimal studyinhaled hydrogen gas

Molecular hydrogen increases resilience to stress in mice.

Qiang Gao, Han Song, Xiao-Ting Wang, Ying Liang, Yan-Jie Xi, Yuan Gao, Qing-Jun Guo, Tyler LeBaron, Yi-Xiao Luo, Shuang-Cheng Li, Xi Yin, Hai-Shui Shi, Yu-Xia Ma · Scientific reports · 2017

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Independent study record

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H2HUBB Research Library branded molecular hydrogen research image
Primary topic Molecular Hydrogen Overview
Evidence type Preclinical animal evidence
Publication type Animal study
Hydrogen method inhaled hydrogen gas

H2HUBB TAKEAWAY

In mice, repeated inhalation of hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas significantly decreased both the acute and chronic stress-induced depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors of mice, assessed by tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST), novelty suppressed feeding (NSF) test, and open field test (OFT). 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 study examined mice.

How Molecular Hydrogen Was Used

Repeated inhalation of hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas [67%:33% (V/V)] significantly decreased both the acute and chronic stress-induced depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors of mice, assessed by tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST), novelty suppressed feeding (NSF) test, and open field test (OFT). ELISA analyses showed that inhalation of hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas blocked CMS-induced increase in the serum levels of corticosterone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in mice exposed to chronic mild stress. Finally, inhalation of hydrogen gas in adolescence significantly increased the resilience to acute stress in early adulthood, which illustrates the long-lasting effects of hydrogen on stress resilience in mice.

What the Researchers Found

Repeated inhalation of hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas [67%:33% (V/V)] significantly decreased both the acute and chronic stress-induced depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors of mice, assessed by tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST), novelty suppressed feeding (NSF) test, and open field test (OFT). ELISA analyses showed that inhalation of hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas blocked CMS-induced increase in the serum levels of corticosterone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in mice exposed to chronic mild stress. Finally, inhalation of hydrogen gas in adolescence significantly increased the resilience to acute stress in early adulthood, which illustrates the long-lasting effects of hydrogen on stress resilience in mice.

H₂ Mechanisms / Biological Findings

Reported molecular-hydrogen-related mechanisms included molecular hydrogen has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities and neuroprotective effects.

Authors’ Conclusion

A distinct authors’ conclusion was not available in the source material reviewed by H2HUBB.