# Malproduction of endogenous hydrogen gas in COVID-19.
> COVID-19における内因性水素ガス産生異常の可能性


## Abstract

COVID-19 is associated with extensive alterations in gut microbiota composition, including a reduction in hydrogen-producing bacterial species, which may lead to decreased endogenous dihydrogen (H2) output. As a biologically active gaseous molecule, H2 exerts cytoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects. This review proposes that diminished H2 production could contribute to disease progression and severity in COVID-19. Exogenous H2 supplementation is discussed as a potential approach to restore physiological H2 levels, with the possibility of combining H2 measurement and supplementation as a combined diagnostic and interventional strategy. The paper also situates H2 alongside other gasotransmitters such as nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide in the context of COVID-19-related gaseous signaling disruption.

### Mechanism

COVID-19-induced gut dysbiosis reduces the abundance of H2-producing bacteria, lowering endogenous dihydrogen levels. Because H2 normally exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects, its deficiency may impair host defense mechanisms and contribute to disease worsening.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Ostojic SM
- **Journal**: Front Cell Infect Microbiol
- **Year**: 2022
- **PMID**: [35967841](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35967841/)
- **DOI**: [10.3389/fcimb.2022.924832](https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2022.924832)
- **PMC**: [PMC9366905](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9366905/)
- **Study type**: review
- **Delivery route**: not specified
- **Effect reported**: not assessed

## Delivery context

The delivery route is not clearly identifiable from this paper. For hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

## Safety notes

The delivery route is not clearly identifiable from this paper. For hydrogen intake, inhalation is the most efficient route; inhalation, however, carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are not recommended).

See also:
- [Inhalation concentration and LFL / UFL](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/inhalation-concentration)
- [Consumer Affairs Agency accident cases](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/accident-cases)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 35967841. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/35967841
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [35967841](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35967841/)