mitochondrial function

226 papers

Research evidence summary

Q: Does molecular hydrogen help with mitochondrial function?

A: Of 226 peer-reviewed papers, 131 reported a positive effect (the most common), 11 limited/mixed, 0 negative, 83 not assessed. Study mix: 14 human (8 RCT), 134 animal/basic, 67 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	14	of which RCT	8
Animal/basic	134	Synthesis/meta	67
Reported effect	positive 131 ・ limited/mixed 11 ・ negative 0 ・ not assessed 83

Read the safety notes →

Delivery-method distribution

hydrogen-rich water: 55 in vitro: 46 mixed routes: 44 not specified: 34 inhalation: 24 injection / infusion: 15 animal model: 7 hydrogen bath: 1

Protective effects of hydrogen-rich water against acute lead-induced hepatic, renal, and testicular toxicity in rats.
2026 ・ Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol ・ PMID 42115396

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and associated mechanisms in sepsis-associated encephalopathy: from pathogenesis to emerging therapeutics.
2026 ・ Front Neurosci ・ PMID 42057900

not specified not assessed review
Hydrogen gas inhalation alleviated cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury by regulating mitophagy in SH-SY5Y cells and mice via PTEN-induced kinase 1/Parkin pathway.
2026 ・ J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis ・ PMID 42049119

inhalation positive animal study
Molecular Hydrogen Reverses Nociplastic Pain and Depressive-like Behaviors via Region- and Sex-Dependent Central Mechanisms.
2026 ・ Int J Mol Sci ・ PMID 41977237

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Molecular hydrogen as a treatment for ME/CFS: a mini-review of clinical evidence and mechanistic rationale.
2026 ・ Front Med (Lausanne) ・ PMID 41930109

hydrogen-rich water positive review
Neuroprotective Effects of Molecular Hydrogen via Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation Regulation in a 5xFAD Mouse Model.
2026 ・ Antioxidants (Basel) ・ PMID 41897548

inhalation positive animal study
Molecular hydrogen triggers TRPC4-TRPC4AP-dependent reversible calcium transients via extracellular influx.
2026 ・ Theranostics ・ PMID 41799190

inhalation positive in vitro study
Long-Term Consumption of Hydrogen-Rich Water Mitigates Oxidative Stress, Hepatic Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Rats with LPS-Induced Chronic Liver Injury.
2026 ・ Antioxidants (Basel) ・ PMID 41750640

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
The protective effects of molecular hydrogen in sepsis-associated encephalopathy: current status.
2026 ・ Eur J Pharmacol ・ PMID 41747800

mixed routes not assessed review
Electrolyzed Hydrogen Water Improves Chemosensitivity to Anticancer Drugs by Potently Suppressing Autophagy.
2026 ・ J Cell Mol Med ・ PMID 41702867

in vitro positive in vitro study
H-dependent modulation of tetrahydromethanopterin S-methyltransferase (Mtr complex) activity by the small protein MtrR in Methanosarcina mazei.
2026 ・ FEBS J ・ PMID 41689349

in vitro positive in vitro study
Revisiting molecular hydrogen signaling in mitochondria: Is the Rieske protein the entry point or a downstream sentinel?
2026 ・ Redox Biol ・ PMID 41496215

not specified not assessed review
Medical Gases as Emerging Regulators of Paediatric Endocrine and Neurodevelopmental Pathways: A Mini-Review.
2026 ・ Acta Paediatr ・ PMID 41482991

not specified not assessed review
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
Therapeutic potential of magnesium diboride nanosheets in PAH-associated right heart failure: Integrated multi-omics analysis reveals ferroptosis suppression via LC3/ATG5/NCOA4/FTH1 pathway.
2026 ・ Free Radic Biol Med ・ PMID 41308938

in vitro positive animal study
Molecular hydrogen mitigates acetaminophen-induced liver injury and enhances the effects of N-acetylcysteine in diabetic mice.
2026 ・ J Nutr Biochem ・ PMID 41207540

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Mechanism by which hydrogen-rich water mitigates exercise-induced fatigue: activation of the immunoresponsive gene 1-itaconate/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 pathway.
2026 ・ Med Gas Res ・ PMID 40580185

hydrogen-rich water positive animal study
Application of Molecular Hydrogen in Early Heart Failure Development: Modulation of Microcirculation, Metabolism, Oxidative Stress, and Myocardial Status.
2025 ・ Antioxidants (Basel) ・ PMID 41462618

inhalation positive animal study
Exploring the Potential of Molecular Hydrogen in Different Heart Failure Models: A Review.
2025 ・ Int J Mol Sci ・ PMID 41373725

mixed routes not assessed review
Molecular hydrogen-mediated SIRT1 activation alleviates sepsis-associated encephalopathy by promoting mitophagy.
2025 ・ Eur J Med Res ・ PMID 41351127

inhalation positive animal study
The Rieske iron-sulfur protein is a primary target of molecular hydrogen.
2025 ・ Redox Biol ・ PMID 41330217

mixed routes positive in vitro study
Modulating NLRP3 Inflammasome Activity and Enhancing Cortical Synaptic Plasticity: Nanoparticulate Hydrogen's Role in Relief of Post-traumatic Anxiety-like Behaviors in Rats.
2025 ・ Mol Neurobiol ・ PMID 41261203

injection / infusion positive animal study
Superoxide- and semiquinone-linked activation of molecular hydrogen in metal-catalyst-free solution.
2025 ・ Front Mol Biosci ・ PMID 41195421

in vitro positive in vitro study
Hydrogen-rich gas enhances mitochondrial membrane potential and respiratory function recovery in Caco-2 cells post-ischemia-reperfusion injury.
2025 ・ Biochem Biophys Res Commun ・ PMID 41043278

in vitro positive in vitro study
Gas as medicine: the case for hydrogen gas as a therapeutic agent for critical illness.
2025 ・ Intensive Care Med Exp ・ PMID 40938520

mixed routes not assessed review