Hydrogen – A new potential supporting treatment for COVID-19 patients

Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread the Severe acute respiratory syndrome to over 55,1 million people all over the world and severe types of this disease have perished 1,31 lives.

1. SARS-CoV-2 and Serious Consequences

SARS-CoV-2 is the agent responsible for a novel infectious respiratory disease known as Covid-19 (short for Coronavirus Disease 2019), characterized primarily by severe lung damage and the potential for fatalities.

The severity of clinical symptoms associated with this condition requires around 20% of patients to be hospitalized, with 5% – 10% of those needing intensive care admission. The most severe cases of this disease exhibit rapid worsening of shortness of breath around days 7 to 10, progressing to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), necessitating mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit and accounting for the majority of fatalities.

Some biological markers indicate the massive and aggressive release of cytokines (mainly interleukins IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) after the secondary activation of macrophage cells primarily in the lungs.

Several treatment trials are being conducted to reduce or control this immune system hyperactivation (anti-IL-6 antibodies, anti-r IL6 Ab, corticosteroids).

2. Experts and Medical Research Establishing the Relationship between Hydrogen and Covid

2.1. Insights from Mr. Motoaki Sano

Mr. Motoaki Sano is an Associate Professor and Director of the Hydrogen Therapy Development Center – Department of Cardiology at Keio University, Japan. He shared the following: “Hydrogen helps improve the endurance of the heart and lungs, specifically the lung’s oxygen capacity and the heart’s ability to supply oxygen. This might be why some people have found that drinking hydrogen before exercising enhances their ‘athletic performance.’ Infusing hydrogen during exercise reduces the buildup of lactic acid and mitigates the decline in performance caused by fatigue. Administering hydrogen after exercising also aids in reducing muscle fatigue.”

“One can imagine that the effects of hydrogen in enhancing microcirculation may also be observed in the digestive tract. Improving microcirculation in the digestive tract enhances absorption capabilities

See details at: http://www.live-aid.co.jp/uploads/fitness_business_202005.pdf

2.2. Excerpt from Frontiers in Pharmacology Journal

Frontiers in Pharmacology is a leading journal in the field, publishing rigorously reviewed research in areas including basic and clinical pharmacology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and toxicology.

The article mentioned the content as follows:

Hydrogen molecules act on the ultimate pathway of this complex inflammatory cascade by inhibiting the cell activity of reactive oxygen species. Early use of it in conjunction with oxygen therapy via nasal cannula may arrest the deteriorating condition of the respiratory system, thus potentially limiting the need for intensive care in the pandemic and saving lives. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) of hydrogen therapy delivered by nasal cannula in addition to conventional oxygen therapy in moderate COVID-19 patients.

Hydrogen reduces respiratory inflammation by lowering cytokine levels. Using hydrogen gas can attenuate the cytokine storm and lung damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 in the early stage of COVID-19, stimulating sputum expectoration, and ultimately reducing the rate of severe illness.

Researchers from the Department of Critical Care Medicine, People’s Hospital of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, China, explored the potential use of hydrogen therapy on severe COVID-19 patients. The group published their research findings titled “Hydrogen: A Potential New Adjunctive Therapy for COVID-19 Patients” in the latest issue of the Frontiers in Pharmacology journal.

Read more at the link:  https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.543718/full

2.3. U.S. National Library of Medicine – Hydrogen Therapy in Covid-19 Patients

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, they shared: “The use of a mixture of Hydrogen & Oxygen gas (66.6% – 33.3%) is considered an improved Covid treatment protocol in Japan and China.

Read more at: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04633980 Read more at the link: https://covid-19.moh.gov.my/kajian-dan-penyelidikan/mahtas-covid-19-rapid-evidence-updates/10_Molecular_Hydrogen_Therapy_For_Management_Of_COVID-19_.pdf