# Hydrogen Therapy and Its Future Prospects for Ameliorating COVID-19: Clinical Applications, Efficacy, and Modality.
> COVID-19に対する水素ガス吸入の臨床応用と作用機序：将来展望を含むレビュー


## Abstract

This review examines the biological properties and potential applications of molecular hydrogen (H₂) with particular emphasis on COVID-19 pneumonia. Because of its low molecular weight, H₂ diffuses readily across cell membranes and exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. Key mechanisms include suppression of excess reactive oxygen species and modulation of nuclear transcription factors. Evidence from clinical trials and animal experiments indicates relevance across a spectrum of conditions such as sepsis, ischemia-reperfusion injury, pancreatitis, and respiratory disorders. Three principal delivery routes are discussed: gas inhalation, oral hydrogen-rich water, and intravenous hydrogen-rich saline. The review also addresses H₂ involvement in mitochondrial energy metabolism and regulated cell death pathways including apoptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy. China's clinical guidelines recommending H₂ inhalation for COVID-19 pneumonia are noted, and the overall safety profile is considered favorable, though the precise molecular mechanisms remain incompletely characterized.

### Mechanism

H₂ selectively scavenges excess reactive oxygen species and modulates nuclear transcription factors, producing anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects; it also influences mitochondrial energy metabolism and regulated cell death pathways including autophagy and pyroptosis.

## Bibliographic

- **Authors**: Perveen I, Bukhari B, Najeeb M, Nazir S, Faridi TA, Farooq M, et al.
- **Journal**: Biomedicines
- **Year**: 2023 (2023-07-04)
- **PMID**: [37509530](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37509530/)
- **DOI**: [10.3390/biomedicines11071892](https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines11071892)
- **PMC**: [PMC10377251](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10377251/)
- **Study type**: review
- **Delivery route**: mixed routes
- **Effect reported**: not assessed

## Delivery context

This study combines multiple delivery routes. As a general principle, the most efficient route for routine hydrogen intake is inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and are not recommended).

## Safety notes

This study combines multiple delivery routes. As a general principle, the most efficient route for routine hydrogen intake is inhalation. Inhalation carries explosion risk (empirical LFL of 10%; high-concentration devices are documented in the Consumer Affairs Agency accident database and 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)
- [Inhalation safety threshold lineage](https://h2-papers.org/en/safety-notes/lineage)

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> **Cite as**: H2 Papers — PMID 37509530. https://h2-papers.org/en/papers/37509530
> **Source**: PubMed PMID [37509530](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37509530/)