Can hydrogen inhalation be an adjunctive therapy for hemorrhagic shock?

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K18324
• 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: FUJISAKI NORITOMO 岡山大学, 医歯薬学域, 講師 (90732644)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 水素 / 出血性ショック / 酸化ストレス / 抗酸化作用

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated whether hydrogen inhalation reduces oxidative stress and protects organs in lung injury secondary to hemorrhagic shock in rats. Inhalation concentrations ranged from 21% to 98.7% oxygen, with 1.3% hydrogen added to each group and the remainder adjusted with nitrogen. At 3 hours after shock resuscitation, hydrogen inhalation reduced oxidative stress in the lung tissue by 98.7% oxygen inhalation, indicating that hydrogen reduces lung tissue damage. Anti-inflammatory effects of hydrogen inhalation were also suggested to be beneficial regardless of oxygen concentration. In clinical trials, blood oxidative stress levels in hemorrhagic shock patients were measured as a severity index, but the relationship between oxidative stress and pathological conditions is poor, and methods for evaluating oxidative stress are a future challenge. This study provides a scientific basis for the clinical application of hydrogen inhalation therapy in patients with hemorrhagic shock.

Free Research Field

救急、集中治療医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

臨床現場でショック患者に頻用されている高濃度酸素吸入は、続発する肺傷害を惹起する可能性が高く、水素吸入がその傷害を低減することが示唆された。出血性ショック患者において肺組織での直接的な抗酸化作用や抗炎症作用により臓器保護的に作用する可能性があり、さらなる詳細なメカニズムが確立すれば、水素吸入療法は慣用的に行われている酸素投与療法に併用できる新たな治療法となりうる。これまで吸入酸素濃度に勾配をつけ水素吸入効果を評価したものはなく、重症患者への新たな介入手段として社会的にも有意義なものになると考えられる。