The effect of hydrogen gas inhalation on crush syndrome

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K16516
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55060:Emergency medicine-related
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: Yumoto Tetsuya 岡山大学, 医歯薬学域, 講師 (80535790)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-03-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: クラッシュ症候群 / 水素 / 虚血再灌流障害

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of hydrogen gas on Crush Syndrome (CS), a condition stemming from traumatic muscle breakdown causing organ failure and potentially death. Ischemia-reperfusion injury, a key factor in CS, has shown improvement with hydrogen treatment in other contexts, but its impact on CS remained unclear. Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent CS induction via 6-hour hindlimb compression under anesthesia. Post-decompression, they were exposed to either 1.3% hydrogen gas or air in a chamber. Survival and biochemical markers were assessed at 18 and 24 hours post-treatment. Hydrogen-treated rats showed a 100% 24-hour survival rate, significantly higher than the air-treated group (44%). Hydrogen treatment also resulted in lower lactate and creatine kinase levels, indicating reduced muscle and kidney damage. Hydrogen gas inhalation appears beneficial in CS treatment, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic strategy.

Free Research Field

救急集中治療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

水素ガスの虚血再灌流障害に対する有効性がクラッシュ症候群でも立証できたことの学術的意義は大きい。また、社会的にも大地震をはじめ大規模災害の多い本邦において、将来的にも多数の傷病者発生が懸念されるクラッシュ症候群に対する新規治療法としての臨床応用が期待できる。また，水素ガスは比較的安価であり，医療経済的にも意義が大きいと考えられる。