immune modulation

180 papers

Research evidence summary

Q: Does molecular hydrogen help with immune modulation?

A: Of 180 peer-reviewed papers, 128 reported a positive effect (the most common), 15 limited/mixed, 1 negative, 36 not assessed. Study mix: 44 human (12 RCT), 98 animal/basic, 36 meta-analysis or synthesis. The most studied delivery route is hydrogen-rich water. The above aggregates published research and does not constitute a clinically established conclusion. See the individual paper pages for details and Safety notes for inhalation safety. (last updated 2026-05-15)

Evidence breakdown
Human	44	of which RCT	12
Animal/basic	98	Synthesis/meta	36
Reported effect	positive 128 ・ limited/mixed 15 ・ negative 1 ・ not assessed 36

Read the safety notes →

Delivery-method distribution

hydrogen-rich water: 61 mixed routes: 33 inhalation: 29 not specified: 20 in vitro: 17 injection / infusion: 10 topical application: 4 animal model: 4 hydrogen bath: 2

Inhalation of hydrogen gas reduces exacerbations of acute aortic dissection in mice.
2026 ・ Life Sci ・ PMID 42105975

inhalation positive animal study
Effects of Inhalation of Hydrogen Gas on Allergic Conjunctivitis Model Mice.
2026 ・ J Ocul Pharmacol Ther ・ PMID 42101321

inhalation positive animal study
Consumption of hydrogen-rich water ameliorates atherosclerosis by modulating gut microbiota and enhancing short-chain fatty acid levels.
2026 ・ Life Sci ・ PMID 42069299

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Adjunctive Molecular Hydrogen Capsule Therapy in Empyema Complicated by Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: A Case Report.
2026 ・ In Vivo ・ PMID 42049414

hydrogen-rich water positive human case report
Molecular hydrogen suppresses gut inflammation and pyroptosis in ulcerative colitis through promoting PKM2 lactylation to block NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
2026 ・ Int Immunopharmacol ・ PMID 42035551

mixed routes positive animal study
Adjunctive Molecular Hydrogen Therapy Modulates T Cell Markers and Reduces Anti-Ro Antibody in Refractory Oral Ulcers of Behçet's Disease and Sjögren's Syndrome: A Case Report.
2026 ・ In Vivo ・ PMID 41760342

hydrogen-rich water positive human case report
Exploratory Evaluation of Hydrogen-Rich Water Therapy for Keloid Management: A Double-Blinded Randomized Pilot Trial.
2026 ・ Aesthetic Plast Surg ・ PMID 41545661

hydrogen-rich water positive human randomized controlled trial
Hydrogen ameliorates psoriasis-like skin inflammation via inhibiting the cGAS-STING pathway.
2026 ・ Clin Exp Immunol ・ PMID 41533764

mixed routes positive animal study
Medical Gases as Emerging Regulators of Paediatric Endocrine and Neurodevelopmental Pathways: A Mini-Review.
2026 ・ Acta Paediatr ・ PMID 41482991

not specified not assessed review
Rhupus Syndrome With Multiple Drug Intolerances Managed by Reduced-dose Rituximab and Adjunctive Molecular Hydrogen Therapy: A Case Report.
2026 ・ In Vivo ・ PMID 41482402

hydrogen-rich water positive human case report
Adjuvant Molecular Hydrogen Therapy in SLE-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Case Report on Immunomodulatory Effects on Regulatory and Effector Lymphocytes.
2026 ・ In Vivo ・ PMID 41482388

hydrogen-rich water positive human case report
Osteoimmunometabolic modulation via hydrogen-self-supplying magnesium-reinforced collagen membrane for enhanced guided bone regeneration.
2026 ・ Biomaterials ・ PMID 41435455

in vitro positive animal study
Sequential hydrogen-release implant for promoting the soft tissue integration through immunomodulatory and pro-remodeling coupling.
2026 ・ Bioact Mater ・ PMID 41334374

in vitro positive in vitro study
Advances in hydrogen delivery strategies for therapeutic applications.
2026 ・ Adv Drug Deliv Rev ・ PMID 41232804

mixed routes not assessed review
Hydrogen intervention attenuates chronic hypoxia-induced bone degeneration and multi-organ damage via modulation of the gut microbiota.
2026 ・ Bone ・ PMID 41224067

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Hydrogen-rich water alleviates neuropathic pain through the modulation of bile acid/Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5-mediated autophagy.
2026 ・ Pain ・ PMID 41143867

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Four-dimensional data independent acquisition proteomics and metabolomics reveal mechanisms of hydrogen-rich water at Zusanli (ST36) point against triple-negative breast cancer in mice.
2025 ・ J Tradit Chin Med ・ PMID 41376217

injection / infusion positive animal study
Efficacy of different nasal irrigation treatments versus placebo in allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
2025 ・ Front Pharmacol ・ PMID 41293244

topical application mixed meta-analysis
Innovations in peritoneal dialysis fluid: biocompatible formulations and expanded therapeutic applications.
2025 ・ Ren Fail ・ PMID 41285129

not specified not assessed review
A Case Report of Adjuvant Molecular Hydrogen Therapy in Refractory Rheumatoid Arthritis With Atlantoaxial Subluxation.
2025 ・ In Vivo ・ PMID 41167690

not specified mixed human case report
Dynamic Immunomodulation by Hydrogen Capsule Therapy in SLE-associated Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Case Report.
2025 ・ In Vivo ・ PMID 41167678

hydrogen-rich water positive human case report
Molecular hydrogen-rhodiola as an adjuvant therapy for ischemic stroke in internal carotid artery occlusion: A case report.
2025 ・ Open Med (Wars) ・ PMID 41141928

hydrogen-rich water positive human case report
Transdermal hydrogen therapy for psoriasis using cavity-embedded double-conical microneedles.
2025 ・ J Control Release ・ PMID 41083007

topical application positive animal study
Gut microbiota as a central mediator in hydrogen gas-induced alleviation of colitis via TLR4/NF-κB and Nrf2 pathway regulation.
2025 ・ Int Immunopharmacol ・ PMID 41076929

inhalation positive animal study
Adjunctive molecular hydrogen therapy for refractory malar rash in systemic lupus erythematosus: A case report with immunological insights.
2025 ・ SAGE Open Med Case Rep ・ PMID 40964664

hydrogen-rich water positive human case report