Preliminary Effects of Hydrogen-Oxygen Inhalation on Nodule Size, IL-6, and Neutrophils in Patients with Small Pulmonary Nodules.
Xiaohui Wei, Wei Zhang, Yuanyuan Li, Xiaojuan Sha, Hongpeng Yi, Chao Cui · Drug design, development and therapy · 2026
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In the smoking subgroup, IL-6 level and neutrophil count also decreased significantly after hydrogen-oxygen inhalation, while CRP remained relatively stable.
What the Researchers Studied
The study examined to evaluate the effects of hydrogen-oxygen inhalation on nodule diameter and peripheral blood inflammatory factors in patients with small pulmonary nodules (SPNs), and to further analyze its efficacy in the smoking subgroup.
How Molecular Hydrogen Was Used
A total of 59 patients with SPNs confirmed by chest CT were enrolled and randomly divided into the observation group (hydrogen-oxygen inhalation, n=30) and control group (air inhalation, n=29).
What the Researchers Found
In the smoking subgroup, IL-6 level and neutrophil count also decreased significantly after hydrogen-oxygen inhalation (both P<0.01), while CRP remained relatively stable.
H₂ Mechanisms / Biological Findings
Within the limitations of this single-center, small-sample study with a 3-month follow-up, hydrogen-oxygen inhalation can reduce SPN diameter and downregulate peripheral blood IL-6 and neutrophil levels, exerting a targeted anti-inflammatory effect especially in smoking patients.
Authors’ Conclusion
The authors concluded that within the limitations of this single-center, small-sample study with a 3-month follow-up, hydrogen-oxygen inhalation can reduce SPN diameter and downregulate peripheral blood IL-6 and neutrophil levels, exerting a targeted anti-inflammatory effect especially in smoking patients. It may serve as a safe non-invasive adjuvant intervention for SPNs, while further multicenter large-sample studies are needed to validate its general applicability.
Limitations Reported by the Authors
Within the limitations of this single-center, small-sample study with a 3-month follow-up, hydrogen-oxygen inhalation can reduce SPN diameter and downregulate peripheral blood IL-6 and neutrophil levels, exerting a targeted anti-inflammatory effect especially in smoking patients.