Molecular hydrogen is a promising therapeutic agent for pulmonary disease

Abstract

Molecular hydrogen exerts biological effects on nearly all organs. It has anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects and contributes to the regulation of autophagy and cell death. As the primary organ for gas exchange, the lungs are constantly exposed to various harmful environmental irritants. Short- or long-term exposure to these harmful substances often results in lung injury, causing respiratory and lung diseases. Acute and chronic respiratory diseases have high rates of morbidity and mortality and have become a major public health concern worldwide. For example, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global pandemic. An in‐ creasing number of studies have revealed that hydrogen may protect the lungs from diverse diseases, including acute lung injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, lung cancer, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and pulmonary fibrosis. In this review, we highlight the multiple functions of hydrogen and the mechanisms underlying its protective effects in various lung diseases, with a focus on its roles in disease pathogenesis and clinical significance.

Study details

Article type

Review

Disease / injury model

Respiratory diseases

Dose-dependent effect

No

Outcome

Positive

Findings

From a systemic perspective, in addition to the direct protective effects of hydrogen on the lungs, it indirectly protects lung tissues via protective effects on other tissues and organs. Owing to their broad potential applications, safety, convenience, and simple properties, hydrogen products are promising candidates for the treatment of diverse pulmonary diseases