Convenient methods for ingestion of molecular hydrogen: drinking, injection, and inhalation

Abstract

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is clinically administered; however, in some hospitals, H2 is given to patients without consideration of its safe use. In the present study, we prepared convenient and safe devices for the drinking of super-saturated H2 water, for intravenous drip infusion of H2-rich saline, and for the inhalation of H2 gas. In order to provide useful information for researchers using these devices, the changes in H2 concentration were studied. Our experimental results should contribute to the advance of non-clinical and clinical research in H2 medicine.

Hydrogen Flush After Cold Storage as a New End‐Ischemic Ex Vivo Treatment for Liver Grafts Against Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

“…Importantly, H 2 gradually permeates the solution bag, dissolves into the solution inside, and then reaches the plateau concentration of 1.0 ppm by 24 hours. This easy and simple method enables us to prepare H 2 solution safely, aseptically, and inexpensively (less than US $3/bag) . We prepared H 2 solution each time, and its concentration was measured via an electrochemical gas sensor (model DHD1‐1; DKK‐TOA Corp., Tokyo, Japan), which was strictly maintained at 1 ppm (0.95 ± 0.02 ppm) throughout the experiments.…”

“…First, gaseous H 2 is potentially inflammable, and 10% seems to be the safety limit for preventing explosion . Ideally, <4% seems preferable to secure the safety of the patient as well as the medical staff . Although an aqueous H 2 solution is safe and convenient for handling, its solubility is very low, and the maximal concentration under 1 atm is just 1.6 ppm .…”

“…Besides its remarkable therapeutic potential, H 2 has several characteristic burdens that need to be overcome before clinical application: inflammability, (21) low solubility, (22) and high tissue/substance permeability. (22,23) First, gaseous H 2 is potentially inflammable, and 10% seems to be the safety limit for preventing explosion. (24) Ideally, <4% seems preferable to secure the safety of the patient as well as the medical staff.…”

“…(24) Ideally, <4% seems preferable to secure the safety of the patient as well as the medical staff. (22,25) Although an aqueous H 2 solution is safe and convenient for handling, (21) its solubility is very low, and the maximal concentration under 1 atm is just 1.6 ppm. (26) In addition, high tissue/substance permeability of H 2 is another hurdle.…”

New Beginnings forMedical Gas Research

“…Another popular topic of our publications last year concerned hydrogen, the lightest and most abundant element (Dixon et al, 2013). One article that contributes to the translation of hydrogen treatment explored the concentration levels of super-saturated hydrogen administration via oral, intravenous drip infusion, and inhalation (Kurokawa et al, 2015). Another article from last year reviewed all the original molecular hydrogen studies in the field after the landmark article in Nature Medicine by Oshawa and colleagues in 2007 which ignited interests in hydrogen research (Ichihara et al, 2015).…”